To start a coffee business in Hungary, prioritize legal structure, permits, and compliant site before buying equipment. Choose entity: sole proprietor (egyéni vállalkozó via Ügyfélkapu) or Kft. for liability; register the correct TEÁOR (56.30 Beverage serving for cafés; 10.83 Tea/coffee processing for roasting). File the “kereskedelmi tevékenység bejelentése” with the local jegyző (E-ker), register as a food business with NÉBIH, and implement a HACCP plan with allergen disclosure (EU 1169/2011). Select a location with extraction, water capacity, and fire-safety compliance; secure terrace permit and signage approval from the municipality. For alcohol, obtain a separate serving license; for music, license with Artisjus/MAHASZ. Register an online pénztárgép with NAV, accept electronic payment, display prices in HUF, and issue receipts; register employees (T1041) before work and arrange medical fitness exams and food-hygiene training. Assess VAT and tourism-development contribution classification for café sales, and pick a tax regime suited to turnover and staffing. Manage waste and Extended Producer Responsibility (MOHU) for single-use packaging; comply with EU SUP bans. For roasting/importing, secure EORI, plant approval, and chimney/zoning. Control costs with water filtration, machine service, COGS (target 25–30%), and menu engineered for margins and speed; validate footfall with a 1–2 week soft launch.
