To open a coffee shop in Frankfurt, register your business (Gewerbeanmeldung) and secure any required permits before fitting out the site; if you will serve alcohol, you must obtain a Gaststättenerlaubnis from the Ordnungsamt (6–12 weeks), otherwise a café without alcohol typically needs no restaurant license. Prioritize a location already approved for gastronomy to avoid a costly Nutzungsänderung with the Bauaufsicht; verify ventilation, escape routes, restrooms, and fire protection. File documents early: lease, floor plan, ID, reliability checks (police record and trade register extracts), hygiene/HACCP plan, and proof of staff food-safety instruction (IfSG §43). Register with the Gesundheitsamt/Veterinär- und Verbraucherschutz for food control, the Finanzamt (VAT: beverages 19%; on‑premise food 19%, many takeaway foods 7%), IHK, and BGN. Use a TSE-compliant POS (KassenSichV) with receipt duty and DSFinV‑K exports. If offering takeaway, register packaging in LUCID and join a dual system; since 2023 you must offer reusable cups of similar size with visible notice and reasonable deposit. Outdoor seating requires a Sondernutzung permit with a site plan (apply 4–8 weeks ahead; fees per m²). Expect typical fees: Gewerbe €30–50; health certificates ~€25 per employee; alcohol license €500–1,500; signage/music (GEMA) variable. Plan 8–10 weeks end‑to‑end if documents are complete and timely.
