Which economic permit do I need?

Acquiring the necessary economic licenses is crucial for anyone looking to start or operate a business in Curaçao. These licenses serve as a legal framework ensuring compliance with regulations and facilitating smooth business operations. They provide clarity and guidance for entrepreneurs, investors, and small to medium-sized businesses, contributing to a vibrant and sustainable economic environment in Curaçao

The E- zone License is necessary for all companies that want to operate from an E-zone area whether in goods or repair work.
Any legal entity that primarily wants to trade goods abroad can establish itself in an economic zone.

An economic zone is a designated area or areas where goods can be stored, processed, assembled, packaged, exhibited and stored or can undergo other treatments.

Only a legal entity with a capital divided into shares that will exclusively conduct a business in that zone is admitted to an economic zone.
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Every business owner is required to get an establishment licence. The only exceptions are the owners of sole proprietorships who were born in Curacao; they are not required to get an establishment license for their businesses.

The ‘standplaats’ permit (standplaatsvergunning) is intended for the entrepreneur who wants to offer and sell goods or services tied to a fixed location on or near the public roads. On occasions like Valentine’s Day, Kings day or festivities like Seú or Carnival, people can acquire a temporary location permit tied to the specific event.

Contrary to the ‘standplaats’ permit, the ‘vent’ license is for the entrepreneur who chooses to offer and sell goods or services in an ambulatory way or not bound to a fixed location on or near public roads. People can also apply for a temporary permit for specific events and national celebrations

Every company that operates a catering/ HORECA facility, must apply for a HORECA license.

To qualify for this permit, you must meet various obligations and conditions. These obligations and conditions relate to:

• public order (including closing time);
• hygiene;
• fire safety;
• possible nuisance to the environment;
• building construction.

To obtain a catering/ HORECA license, all five of the above points must be in order.
In Curaçao you can apply for the following catering permits:

“Koffiehuis” ;
Restaurant A;
Restaurant B;
“Bierhuis”;
“slijt” ;
Hotel license;
Accommodation license;
Society license;
Wholesaler’s license;
combination Koffiehuis/Restaurant;
combination Bierhuis/restaurant.”

With this license you are allowed to sell both strong and low-alcoholic drinks in your establishment as well as non-alcoholic drinks intended for consumption (or similar items). The customer can consume the purchased items in your business or on your terrace.

This license allows the business owner to sell food, non-alcoholic drinks intended for consumption (or similar items) in their HORECA business.

For this license you need a separate kitchen in which the food is prepared.

The Restaurant B license allows the business owner to sell food, non- alcoholic drinks, low-alcoholic drinks intended for consumption (or similar items) in their HORECA business.

In the case of a Restaurant B license, the food you offer must be prepared in a simple manner. So in the form of the so-called quick buffet on hot plates (fast food).

With this license you can sell alcoholic drinks, low-alcoholic drinks and ice intended for consumption (or similar items) in your catering business. The customer is allowed to consume the purchased drink and/or ice in your business or on your terrace.

With a liquor license you can sell spirits in retail. The condition for this is that the customer is not allowed to consume the purchased drink in your business.

The Hotel license allows you to run a hotel with at least 10 rooms. Within your hotel you can sell food, drinks (strong, low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks) and ice (or similar items) for consumption to customers. They must consume the food on site.

The wholesaler’s license allows you to sell spirits in large quantities (per dozen/gross, etc.)

The drink sold may not be consumed on site by the customer.