To start a coffee shop in Germany, pick a legal form (Einzelunternehmen for speed, UG/GmbH for liability) and secure a location whose lease permits gastronomy; clarify change-of-use, ventilation/odor control, fire safety, and any grease separator with the Bauamt. Register the business (Gewerbeanmeldung), then complete the “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung” with the Finanzamt, choose VAT scheme (regular; drinks 19%, some takeaway foods 7%), set up GoBD-compliant bookkeeping and a TSE-secured POS per KassenSichV. Membership in IHK and the Berufsgenossenschaft Nahrungsmittel und Gastgewerbe is mandatory. Before opening: implement an HACCP plan (EU 852/2004), obtain §43 IfSG hygiene training for staff, set up allergen/ingredient declarations (LMIV), and schedule the Lebensmittelüberwachung inspection. No Gaststättenerlaubnis is needed unless you serve alcohol. If offering to-go, register packaging in LUCID (VerpackG) and comply with the Mehrwegangebotspflicht with clear notice. Display prices per Preisangabenverordnung (incl. VAT; indicate deposits). For staff, obtain a Betriebsnummer, register for social insurance, comply with Mindestlohn/Arbeitszeit, and document trainings. Arrange Betriebshaftpflicht, Inhalts-, and Betriebsunterbrechungsversicherung. For fit-out, plan 230/400V power, water filtration matched to local hardness, drain capacity; sidewalk seating requires a Sondernutzung permit. Finance via KfW StartGeld plus landlord contributions; target rent below 10–12% of sales and track COGS and labor to hit break-even.
