To open a coffee shop in Italy, you don’t get a single “coffee shop license”—you file a SCIA (Segnalazione Certificata di Inizio Attività) for Somministrazione Alimenti e Bevande through the municipal SUAP, attaching proof you meet food-safety, premises, and professional requirements. Practically: choose your legal form (ditta individuale, SRL/SRLS), obtain a Partita IVA with ATECO 56.30.00 (bar/coffee shop), register with the Chamber of Commerce, INPS, and INAIL. Secure a venue with agibilità, compliant restrooms and accessibility (DM 236/1989), and a floor plan that meets Reg. (CE) 852/2004 hygiene flows; if seating or espresso equipment is significant, verify ventilation and, where applicable, fire (Vigili del Fuoco) obligations. At least one person must hold the SAB/Food & Beverage qualification (ex REC) or equivalent titles, and all staff need HACCP certificates; include these with your SCIA plus lease/deed, planimetry, and anti-mafia self-declaration. File the SCIA sanitaria to the ASL where required by your region; you can usually start from the filing date, subject to inspections. Set up a fiscal RT cash register, display prices, manage allergen info (EU 1169/2011), and accept card payments (POS). For outdoor seating, signage, music, or late hours, obtain OSP, insegna, SIAE/SCF, and noise permits under your Comune’s rules.
