English translation
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We are working hard to fix them and making more content available than ever before so expect constant updates.
Before applying for a work permit
The operator must apply to the National Health Service before starting any activity.
The Department of Health issues work permits for the following professional occupations:
- Professional activity in the production or distribution of food according to Law No. 93/1995 on food
- Occupational activities that may entail contamination under Law No. 7/1998 on Hygiene and Pollution Prevention
- Professional activities and institutions providing services to the public pursuant to Law No. 7/1998 on Hygiene and Pollution Prevention
The operator must apply to the National Health Service before starting any activity.
Business licensing
Attention is drawn to the fact that if the intention is to operate a place to stay or a restaurant, a business licence must also be applied for to the District Commissioner of Greater Reykjavík, unless otherwise provided by law (see table below for details).
Attention is drawn to the fact that those who intend to run a homestay, cf. law no. 85/2007 on Restaurants, Lodging and Entertainment, as amended, and Ordinance No. 1277/2016 on restaurants, places to stay and entertainment, must register the activity with the County Council in the capital city or on a central site maintained by the County Council.
Usage license
When applying for a licence for a food vending machine, vending booth or food market, the applicant must hold a street and square vending permit from the Department of Environment and Planning.
What equipment do I need?
| Company /Function | Facebook of the National Health Service | County Business License | Registration obligation /reporting obligation | Street and Square Sales License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants (including catering, fast food restaurants, pubs, cafes, assembly halls, and banquet services) | X | X (Category II and III alcoholic restaurants only) | ||
| Places to stay (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, homestays, apartment stays) | X (non-homestay) | X (non-homestay) | Homestay (maximum 90 days per calendar year) | |
| Grocery stores | X | |||
| Import of dietary supplements and sales | X | |||
| Wholesale trade in foodstuffs | X | |||
| Manufacture of foodstuffs (including packing) | X | |||
| Feed hopper | X | |||
| Food Transportation and Distribution Centers | X | |||
| Sales towers (bounce) | X | |||
| Water supply networks | X | |||
| Food vending trolleys | X | X | ||
| Sales stalls /food markets | X | X | ||
| Manufacturers and/or importers of food contact materials | X | |||
| Manufacturers of edible herbs | X (cultivation, packing and other processing) | X (cultivation only) |
Business License Reviews
The Food Inspection Agency provides reviews to the Metropolitan County Council for the issuance of business licenses for restaurants and places of accommodation pursuant to Law No. 85/2007 on restaurants, places to stay and entertainment.
The County Council's Metropolitan Licensing Department, tel. 458 2000, provides full details on business licensing. For work on reviews for opportunity permits, an hourly fee will be paid to the Department of Health. See the current Health Fee Schedule.