Afortis provides legal and administrative assistance: we prepare and file your application. The licence is issued, and the decision made, by the competent government authority, not by Afortis.
Overview
General Information
The process covers food hygiene registration, fire safety approvals and everything in between. Afortis Group handles each stage: premises analysis, document preparation, authority communication and inspections — from lease signing through to final approval.
- What’s Included in a Restaurant Licence Latvia Package
- Food Hygiene Licence (PVD)
- HACCP Certificate
- Alcohol Licence — Restaurant Latvia
- Water Quality Certificate
- Fire Safety Certificate
- Occupational Safety Permit
- Music Licence
- Signage & Summer Terrace Permit
- Processing Time & Costs
- Turnkey Support from Afortis Group
What’s Included
What’s Included in a Restaurant Licence Latvia Package
A full set of permits for opening a restaurant, café or food service venue: a PVD food hygiene licence, a HACCP self-control system, an alcohol licence for your restaurant, a water quality certificate, a fire safety certificate, an occupational safety permit, a music licence and an outdoor signage / summer terrace permit.
Food Hygiene Licence (PVD)
The primary permit required before a food business can operate in Latvia. Issued by Pārtikas un veterinārais dienests (PVD), it confirms the premises meet sanitary and hygiene requirements and registers the venue as a food business operator. Once the lease is signed, we prepare documents, register the business with PVD, agree an inspection date and attend the inspection.
HACCP Certificate
The HACCP system must be in place before the PVD inspection. It covers food safety controls across five areas:
- a self-control plan
- risk analysis
- internal regulations
- record logs
- sanitary instructions
Alcohol Licence — Restaurant Latvia
Selling alcoholic drinks requires a separate alcohol licence, issued through Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID) and the local municipality. We submit documents online via the EDS system and manage the procedure from start to finish.
Water Quality Certificate
Where water is used for cooking or served as drinking water, a laboratory analysis is required — for example, through the BIOR Food Safety Laboratory — with results submitted to PVD.
Fire Safety Certificate
Confirms the premises comply with fire safety requirements. Issued by Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests (VUGD). Required documents include an evacuation plan, alarm inspection report, ventilation documents and extinguisher data. We prepare the paperwork and attend the inspection.
Occupational Safety Permit
Confirms that working conditions comply with Latvian law. We organise a labour conditions audit, prepare mandatory documentation and implement staff instructions.
Music Licence
Background music — radio, TV or streaming — requires a copyright licence issued through AKKA/LAA via an online application. This applies regardless of whether the music is incidental or part of the venue concept.
Signage & Summer Terrace Permit
Outdoor advertising, signage or a summer terrace must be agreed with the municipality where the restaurant is located, usually together with the landlord. We advise on the procedure and support obtaining the permit.
Process
Processing Time & Costs
The full set of HoReCa permits in Latvia typically takes 1 to 2 months to obtain. Costs depend on the alcohol licence type, the municipality, and the inspections and certifications required.
Our Support
Turnkey Support from Afortis Group
We handle the entire process of opening a restaurant in Latvia: premises analysis, inspection preparation, obtaining all catering business licences and permits, and direct communication with PVD, VID, VUGD and local municipalities. The result is a ready-to-operate venue with no risk of fines or refusals.
Common questions
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