To open a coffee shop in Belarus, prioritize entity choice, premises compliance, and food-safety readiness before you sign a lease. Most operators register as an LLC (OOO) or Individual Entrepreneur with the local executive committee (entered in the Unified State Register), then open a bank account and select a tax regime: the simplified system (with or without VAT) suits small cafés; the general regime is used if you exceed caps or reclaim input VAT. Secure a ground-floor site with a separate entrance and approved use for public catering; obtain design approvals, fire-safety compliance from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and notify the territorial Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Implement HACCP under EAEU TR 021/2011, maintain sanitation logs, staff medical books, pest control, calibrated thermometers, and cold-chain monitoring. Register fiscal cash equipment (KSA) with the Tax Inspectorate and enable card acceptance; display prices, hours, and the comments-and-suggestions book. For alcohol or tobacco, obtain a retail license; for music, conclude a copyright license. Build menu tech cards and allergen disclosures; contract for waste removal and used oil. Importing beans/equipment requires conformity and, for beans, phytosanitary documents. Exterior signage and outdoor seating need local permits. Timeline: 2–6 weeks; critical path is premises approvals.
