To operate a coffee shop in Latvia, you must register your food business with the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) and secure municipal trade permissions before opening. Incorporate an SIA with the Enterprise Register, obtain a lease with catering use, and submit a PVD food business operator notification with layout, process flow, HACCP plan (or validated simplified HACCP), sanitation, pest control, and water supply details; approval is required prior to production. Equip the premises to PVD standards: washable surfaces, handwash sinks, chilled storage with thermologging, allergen segregation, and traceability records. Register a certified cash register/POS with the State Revenue Service (VID) and register for VAT if your taxable turnover will exceed the threshold; display receipts meeting Latvian rules. Apply at your municipality for a public catering/trade permit and, if serving alcohol, an on-premises alcohol retail license; add a seasonal terrace permit for outdoor seating. Arrange mandatory employee health checks and food hygiene training, fire safety documentation and inspection (VUGD), and waste contracts (municipal, food waste, used oil/grease trap per utility rules). Ensure menus disclose allergens under EU 1169/2011 and provide consumer information in Latvian. If playing music, license AKKA/LAA and LaIPA. Keep training, cleaning logs, and temperature records for inspections.
