To start a coffee business in Germany, lock down compliance and unit economics before signing a lease. Choose a legal form (Einzelunternehmen for speed; UG/GmbH for liability), register at the Gewerbeamt, then with the Finanzamt for a Steuernummer; decide on VAT (Kleinunternehmer up to €22,000 prior-year revenue, otherwise 19% on drinks, 7% on retail beans). If roasting, register with customs for Kaffeesteuer (roasted €2.19/kg; instant €4.78/kg) and coordinate emissions/venting with the Schornsteinfeger and local Bauamt. File a change-of-use permit if converting premises; plan power (three-phase), water, grease separation if food, and odor control. Implement HACCP and allergen display (LMIV), obtain staff health certificates (IfSG §43), and expect Lebensmittelüberwachung checks via Gesundheitsamt; IHK membership and BG Nahrungsmittel/Gastro are mandatory. Use a TSE-compliant POS (KassenSichV), open a bank account, set up GoBD-compliant bookkeeping, show prices with VAT (PAngV), and register packaging in LUCID (VerpackG) plus a dual system; since 2023 offer a reusable to-go option. For outdoor seating, get a Sondernutzung permit; for music, GEMA. Hiring: enroll with social insurance/Minijob-Zentrale, pay Mindestlohn, schedule barista training. Sourcing: secure EU-compliant import/EORI, sample via cuppings, target 65–75% gross margin; keep labor ≤35% and rent ≤12% of sales; verify footfall, ventilation, and delivery access before committing.
