Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Instruction for innkeepers

You need a restaurant permit (concession) if you want to serve alcohol in your establishment. A restaurant permit will only be granted if you can show a certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce about the restaurant instruction.

Detailed description

The principles for handling food are taught to you in the instruction by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Among other things, the topics of hygiene regulations, food law, beer, wine and milk law as well as beverage plant law are taken into account.


The chambers of industry and commerce carry out the instruction on food and hygiene regulations and issue a certificate (proof of instruction) for this.


The instruction is mostly held in German.


The certificate of participation in the training (proof of training) will be handed over by the IHK after the event. It applies nationwide.


Upon application, you can be exempted from the restaurant instruction if you have already completed certain state-recognized training occupations with an examination from an IHK, chamber of crafts or a craft guild and the contents of the restaurant instruction were the subject of the training and examination.

 

Information

Prerequisites

No

Documents required

  • Identification document (identity card or passport)

Please note

No

Deadlines

The proof of instruction is valid indefinitely.

Procedure

The training for restaurant staff is conducted and certified by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

  • You register for instruction at a Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
  • The training is conducted by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and lasts approximately 4 hours.
  • You will receive the certificate after the instruction.
  • The certificate must be presented when applying for the restaurant license.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

70.00 EUR for a restaurant training course


170.00 EUR for special training for restaurant staff




Additional fees may apply for a certified interpreter.

Legal remedies

Not applicable

Legal basis

Section 4 paragraph 1 of the Hospitality Act (GastG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gastg/__4.html

Address and contact information

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

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Keywords: Restaurant permits Serving alcohol Restaurants hygiene bar concession Food Food training Proof of food instruction

Last updated: 13.07.2026