What is an alcoholvergunning?
The alcoholvergunning is the permit under Article 3 of the Alcoholwet that you need in order to serve low-alcohol and high-alcohol drinks for consumption on the premises. The permit sets requirements for the layout of your premises and for the leidinggevenden (the managers named on the permit).
All leidinggevenden must meet the sociale hygiëne (social hygiene) requirements — usually demonstrated with a Verklaring Sociale Hygiëne, a social hygiene certificate — and must be added to the permit.
When do you need an alcoholvergunning?
You need the permit as soon as you serve alcohol in a café, restaurant, hotel or other hospitality venue. The permit must also be amended when a new leidinggevende joins or when you carry out building work on the area where alcohol is served.
You usually apply for the alcoholvergunning at the same time as the exploitatievergunning (operating permit). We align both procedures with each other so that you can open as quickly as possible.
Which documents do you need?
- Social Hygiene certificate for every manager
- Valid ID for every manager
- Chamber of Commerce (KvK) extract
- Floor plan showing serving areas and surface areas
- Employment contracts or appointment of managers
Wij vertellen u tijdens de gratis intake precies welke stukken in uw situatie nodig zijn.
How the process works
- 1
Free intake
We check whether all leidinggevenden meet the requirements.
- 2
Collecting documents
We collect the Verklaring Sociale Hygiëne certificates and the other documents.
- 3
Submitting the application
We submit the application to the gemeente (municipality).
- 4
Decision
You receive the permit and may serve alcohol.
What does a alcohol licence cost?
For handling your alcoholvergunning from start to finish we charge a fixed service fee. No hourly billing.
The gemeente also charges its own leges (municipal processing fees). These municipal costs are separate from our service fee.
What the gemeente charges on top
| What the gemeente charges for | Amount | Tariff year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol licence (article 3 Alcoholwet) — new applicationThis is on top of the operating permit fee; they are two separate applications. | €1,882.10 | 2026 | Gemeente Amsterdam |
| Changing or adding one managerIf a manager is named on both the operating permit and the alcohol licence, this fee is payable twice. | €404.80 | 2026 | Gemeente Amsterdam |
| Other amendments to the alcohol licence | €483.40 | 2026 | Gemeente Amsterdam |
| Article 35 exemption (temporary licence, e.g. for an event) | €360.00 | 2026 | Gemeente Amsterdam |
These are the gemeente's own fees, separate from our service fee, and are payable to Gemeente Amsterdam. Leges are revised on 1 January each year. Last checked by us on 26 July 2026 — always verify the current amount with the gemeente before you budget.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference from the old drank- en horecavergunning?
- The Drank- en Horecawet was replaced by the Alcoholwet in 2021. The permit is now called an alcoholvergunning, but the essence — a permit to serve alcohol — is the same.
- Do I need a Verklaring Sociale Hygiëne?
- Yes, all leidinggevenden must meet the sociale hygiëne requirements. We help you demonstrate this correctly in the application.
Related permits
Let us arrange your alcohol licence
A fixed price, no surprises. We handle the whole application so you can focus on your business.
Request a free intake