Unterrichtung für Gastwirte

You need a restaurant license (concession) if you want to serve alcohol in your establishment. A restaurant license will only be issued if you can present a certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) regarding the restaurant training.

The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) will teach you the principles of handling food. The topics covered include hygiene regulations, food law, beer, wine and milk law as well as beverage plant law.

The chambers of industry and commerce provide training on food and hygiene regulations and issue a certificate (proof of training).

The training is usually held in German.

The certificate of participation in the training (proof of instruction) is handed over by the IHK after the event. It is valid nationwide.

You can be exempted from the catering instruction upon request if you have already completed certain state-recognized training occupations with an examination before an IHK, Chamber of Crafts or a craft guild and the contents of the catering instruction were the subject of the training and examination.

• Official photo ID for identification during the briefing

- No special requirements

Fees apply. These are set out in the respective IHK fee schedule

The catering training is carried out and certified by the IHK.

• You register with an IHK for training
• The training is carried out by the IHK and lasts approx. 45 hours
• You will receive the certificate following the training
• The certificate must be presented when applying for a restaurant license

The training certificate is valid indefinitely.

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

• Proof of instruction under food law
• Only required for planned serving of alcohol
• Prerequisite for a restaurant license
• Teaching the basics of food and hygiene regulations
• Exemption from training and examination in the catering industry
• Duration of instruction approx. 45 hours
• Certificate is valid nationwide and indefinitely
• Instruction in German language
• Responsible: Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)

You can find the Chamber of Industry and Commerce responsible for you here: IHK competence finder

• Forms: Registration form
• Online procedure: partly online registration possible
• Written form: no
• Personal appearance required: yes