Authorisation to open a night shop

To open a night shop, you must obtain prior authorization from the local commune and possibly urban planning permits. A written application and fee may be required, alongside documents like incorporation articles, company registration, ID, safety certificates, insurance, project description, AFSCA authorization, and a criminal record for alcohol sales.

Audience: Businesses, specifically those wishing to open night shops in Brussels
Documents: Articles of incorporation, company registration number, ID document, certificate of conformity for the electrical system, civil liability insurance, fire insurance, fire services report, project description, FASFC authorization, criminal record extr...
Mode: Digital
Validity: FR/NL

Would you like to open a night shop? This proximity service is subject to regulations, and sometimes also to urban planning permissions. Before you start, it’s good to keep in mind that opening a night shop always requires prior authorisation from the commune in which you wish to locate your premises.

The procedure

Most communes request that the business owner submit a written application, using a specific form. However, opening a night shop is sometimes subject to a permit from the Urban planning services, either before or after a confirmed authorization. In some situations, you will also need approval from the local police or to operate within fixed opening times. You will also need to pay a fee in certain communes.

Documents you will need to provide

Depending on the commune, a series of documents should be included in the application, such as:

- articles of incorporation

- company registration number

- ID document

- certificate of conformity for the electrical system

- civil liability insurance or fire insurance and a report without comments from the fire services

- description of the project and its activities

- authorisation from AFSCA, Agence fédérale pour la sécurité de la chaîne alimentaire (FASFC, Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain)

- criminal record extract for the sale of alcohol.

Most of the municipal procedures can be found in Opens in new windowIRISbox.

Anderlecht