To open a coffee shop in Greece, you don’t obtain a classic “license”; you submit an Operation Notification on NotifyBusiness (gov.gr) and may start trading immediately, provided the premises and documentation meet the sanitary and fire-safety rules. Practical sequence: form the business (sole proprietor or IKE) and register with GEMI, get a VAT number from AADE, and activate KAD 56.30 (beverage‑serving activities). Secure premises compliance first: proof of lawful main use, engineer-signed floor plan, ventilation/hood, grease trap, washable surfaces, segregated food prep and storage, potable water, and compliant WCs and accessibility per building code. Obtain a Fire Brigade certificate with extinguishers, signage, emergency lighting, and occupancy calculation. Implement food safety: a documented HACCP/prerequisite program aligned with EFET guidance, staff hygiene training records, pest control contract, potable water tests (or mains proof), and contracts for used‑oil and waste removal. Before opening, file the Notification with attachments and e-paravolo, then post the receipt on-site; inspections follow. If you use outdoor tables, lease public space from the municipality; if you play music, get municipal music permission and copyright clearances (EDEM/GEA). For alcohol, no separate bar license is required, but sell only tax-stamped products and enforce age checks. Keep all approvals on‑site for inspections.
