To start a coffee business in North Macedonia, secure your legal setup and hospitality/food-safety approvals before committing to a location. Register a DOOEL/DOO or sole trader with the Central Registry, open a bank account, appoint a manager, and meet minimum share-capital rules if forming an LLC. Choose the correct NKD activity for hospitality/roasting, then obtain a municipal catering permit and facility categorization under the Hospitality Law, plus an approved HACCP plan and sanitary registration from the Food and Veterinary Agency. Lease premises zoned for catering; ensure three‑phase power, adequate water pressure and treatment for espresso machines, ventilation, and noise/fire compliance. Before opening, fiscalize with the Public Revenue Office (UJP), configure an approved fiscal device/ECR or certified POS, and register for VAT if your turnover will exceed the threshold or you want input VAT recovery. Hire staff on written contracts, register them for social contributions, and secure food‑handler medical certificates; train baristas on hygiene and allergen controls. Arrange waste and oil disposal contracts, a terrace permit if using outdoor seating, and signage that includes Macedonian in Cyrillic. For roasting/import, register with Customs, label in Macedonian, and cupping. Negotiate supplier terms, water filtration, and preventive maintenance to protect beverage consistency and margins.
