Short answers to the questions we hear every day from hospitality business owners. Every business, however, has its own particular features: before you make a decision, talk to us about your own case.
Opening a business
What should I check before renting premises for a café or restaurant?
The permitted land uses in the area, the building permit and the lawful use of the premises, the building’s co-ownership regulations (κανονισμός πολυκατοικίας), the Municipality’s local decisions and the technical requirements. The check is carried out before signing, with a lawyer and an engineer. See our pre-lease check.
“There used to be a restaurant here.” Does that mean I can open one too?
Not necessarily. The fact that a business operated there before does not prove that the premises operated lawfully or that they meet the requirements today. They may, for example, be registered as an ancillary space or a storeroom.
Is an operating licence still required?
For most food service businesses, the operating licence has been replaced by a business operation notification (γνωστοποίηση) (Law 4442/2016), submitted on the OpenBusiness platform. Exception: entertainment venues (κέντρα διασκέδασης) still need a licence to establish and operate from the Municipality. Some approvals, such as the use of public space and extended music hours, are granted separately. See business notification.
My business has an old licence. Do I need to do anything?
Yes. A business with an old licence must complete the registration (απογραφή) on OpenBusiness, and a business that filed its notification before OpenBusiness must upload its supporting documents, by 31 December 2026 (Articles 14A–14B Law 4442/2016, Article 59 Law 5255/2025). Do not let the deadline pass: after that date, missing supporting documents lead to sanctions.
I am opening a second venue. What should I look out for?
Whether it will operate under the same operator or a new company, who the partners will be and what applies in the Municipality of the new venue, because local rules on music and public space differ.
Music and noise
If the music is played quietly, am I within the law?
Not if it plays beyond the permitted hours. Music hours are different from the opening hours of the business. Music after the permitted hours requires an extended music hours permit from the Municipality, where this is provided for. See music permit.
Is only the music measured in a noise inspection?
No. What is measured is the noise coming from the business. Even customers’ conversations can push the reading above the permitted limit.
Does the music permit also cover the outdoor area?
Not automatically. Today the “music permit” is a declaration of music use within the business notification; a permit is needed only for extended hours. Music in the outdoor area has its own conditions. Check exactly what your own notification and the Municipality’s decision allow before you put a speaker outside.
Inspections, fines and sealing
What should I do during an inspection?
Ask to be told what the inspection is about. Read every document carefully before you sign it, keep copies and note down what was found. Speak calmly with the inspecting officers and call your lawyer.
How many violations lead to sealing of the premises?
In bars, cafés and restaurants that serve alcohol, and in entertainment venues, three officially recorded violations within one year relating to music, noise, public quiet or opening hours lead to sealing. If they were recorded by the Police, sealing for 10 days is mandatory, and the Municipality is required to decide on withdrawal of the licence or suspension of operation, which may last longer (Article 350 para. 4 Law 5314/2026). The Municipality may also seal the premises for 10 to 60 days on the basis of violations recorded by other authorities as well (Article 2 Presidential Decree 180/1979). A separate rule applies to exceeding the outdoor seating area (Article 400 Law 5314/2026).
I have received a penal order. Have I lost the case?
No. You can file objections, but only within 15 days of service (Article 412 Code of Criminal Procedure, ΚΠΔ). Service may be made electronically to your gov.gr digital mailbox or to your e-mail, by delivery to an employee of the business or by posting on the door. In all these cases the time limit is already running. If the deadline passes, the penal order may become enforceable. Note the date of service and call us immediately (Athens +30 213 025 3173, Thessaloniki +30 2310 528 154). We will tell you how to send us the document securely.
Can I open the business if I believe the sealing is unfair?
No. Breaking a seal has serious criminal and administrative consequences. Sealing is challenged through written representations (απόψεις), appeals and an application for suspension. See sealing (closure) of premises.
Outdoor seating
What happens if I go beyond the limits of my permit?
If you go beyond the terms of your permit, you pay the fee plus a fine of three times the fee. For space used without a permit, the fine is a multiple (2, 3 or 4 times) of the amount per square metre set by the Municipality, depending on the location. If the violation is repeated within the year after a removal order has been served on you, the permit is withdrawn for 6 months. For a food and beverage business (ΚΥΕ), a double fine or sealing for 3–10 days is imposed in addition (Article 400 Law 5314/2026).
When do I need to renew my permit to use public space?
The permit to use public space lasts for up to one calendar year and is renewed on application (Article 576 para. 3 Law 5314/2026). File your application in good time, so that you are not left without a permit at the start of the year.
Leases, companies, trademarks
What happens if the licence is not granted after I have signed the lease agreement?
It depends on the terms of the lease agreement. That is why, before signing, we recommend a clause making the lease conditional on completion of the business notification. See lease agreements for business premises.
I am buying a business that is already operating. What should I check?
The business notification and permits, the lease agreement, debts and fines, violations and pending cases, and who holds the rights to the name and trademark of the business.
Does my company’s name protect the name of my venue?
Not fully. The company name is the name under which you appear at the tax office (ΔΟΥ) and in the General Commercial Registry (ΓΕΜΗ). A trademark protects the name of the venue in the market. See trademarks.
Working with our firm
Do you work throughout Greece?
Yes. We have offices in Athens, Thessaloniki and Mykonos and serve businesses throughout the country, in person, by phone or online.