Starting a restaurant
Starting a café, takeaway or catering business: which exams and licences do you need?
See when a café, coffee bar, takeaway, food truck or catering business needs a serveringsbevilling, Etablererprøven, a skjenkebevilling and registration with Mattilsynet.
By TestPrep · 2 min read
The key question: do guests eat on site?
The Serving Act applies to places that make it possible to eat and drink on site, for example with tables, chairs or standing tables. The business then normally needs a serveringsbevilling, and the general manager must have passed Etablererprøven. If you only sell food to take away, with no arrangements for eating there, the Serving Act may not apply. The municipality decides what applies to your concept.
Café and coffee bar
A café with seating normally needs a serveringsbevilling and registration with Mattilsynet, even if you only sell coffee and baked goods. The general manager must then have Etablererprøven. If you want to serve beer or wine, you also need a skjenkebevilling, and the manager (styrer) and deputy (stedfortreder) must have passed Kunnskapsprøven for serving alcohol.
Takeaway and food truck
A takeaway with tables or standing room where guests eat normally needs a serveringsbevilling. Pure take-away may be exempt, but registration with Mattilsynet applies regardless. A food truck must also be registered, and using public streets or squares often requires separate permission from the municipality. Ask the municipality where and when you can trade.
Catering and event venues
A catering business that prepares food and delivers it to customers must register with Mattilsynet and have internkontroll, especially for transport and temperature. If you serve food in your own premises where guests eat, a serveringsbevilling may be needed. For serving alcohol at private events there are separate options such as a mobile licence (ambulerende bevilling) or a licence for a single occasion.
In short
Seating or standing tables usually mean a serveringsbevilling and Etablererprøven for the general manager. Alcohol means a skjenkebevilling and Kunnskapsprøven for the styrer and stedfortreder. All food service and production must be registered with Mattilsynet. Describe your concept to the municipality early so you get a firm answer before you invest.
Sources and official information
The information is based on official sources. Information from Oslo is used as local examples. Always check current requirements, fees and application procedures with your own municipality and the relevant authority.