Licence to sell alcoholic beverages containing up to 4.7% alcohol
In order to sell alcoholic beverages containing between 2.5 and 4.7 percent alcohol by volume, you must apply for a permit from the relevant municipal authority. You must have a licence before you can start selling alcoholic beverages.
About this form
All businesses looking to sell alcoholic beverages containing more than 2,5 and up to 4,7 percent alcohol by volume must contact the relevant municipal authority for the application form.
Requirements for the submission of attachments may vary from one municipality to the next. The requirements will be described on each form. It is a good idea to get an overview of the various requirements before you start completing the form. The following are usually required:
Plan drawings of the premises' floor space and functions.
Documentation of passed Alcohol Act knowledge test.
Certificate of registration from the Brønnøysund Register Centre.
Tax certificate.
When the application is received by the municipality, statements will be obtained from the police, social services and tax authorities.
The licence is granted for a maximum period of four years at a time, but not for longer than until 30 June in the year following the year in which a new municipal council takes up office. Processing time on the part of the municipality is estimated to be approximately three months.
The licence lapses in the event of an enterprise transfer. The business can nevertheless operate under the previous licence for up to three months. This is conditional on the licensing authorities being informed of the transfer and on the submission of a new application at the soonest opportunity and no later than 30 days from the date of the transfer.
Criteria/conditions:
The sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted except under a licence granted pursuant to the Alcohol Act. The licence is granted on the basis of a discretionary assessment and applies to the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages containing more than 2.5% and a maximum of 4.7% alcohol by volume.
The licence holder shall appoint a manager and a deputy manager for the sales outlet. The manager and deputy manager must both have passed the Alcohol Act knowledge test. They must both be over 20 years of age, work in the enterprise and meet the requirements set out in the Alcohol Act. A record of good conduct is required.
Sales licences cannot be granted to petrol stations or kiosks.
Remarks:
Changes to a licence can often take place several times during the licence period. Such changes can, for example, take the form of a change of manager and/or deputy manager for the licence, a change of business concept or a change of ownership. Such changes will often require re-approval or a new licence. Notification of changes shall be sent to the municipality, which will make a new decision in the case.
Fee:
There is no application fee, but a licensing fee based on the anticipated volume of alcoholic beverages sold, according to the alcohol regulations §6-1 og § 6-2.
Case processing deadlines:
Processing time on the part of the municipality is estimated to be approximately three months.
Right of appeal:
Decision on the allocation and rejection of applications for municipal sales permits according to Chapter 3 of the Alcohol Act can be appealed to the County Governor, cf. §16-1, first paragraph of the Alcohol Act, in accordance with the Public Administration Act §§ 28 and 29.
Any appeal must be in writing and substantiated. The appeal is to be sent to the licensing authority/the municipality.
