Permit fees for coffee shops and sandwich stands vary drastically across the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the cost of obtaining a permit to open a coffee stand or sandwich shop can vary drastically depending on the municipality. A recent study by the ANP news agency reveals that permit prices can range from as low as 51 euros in Urk to as high as 807 euros in Lelystad, with several other municipalities falling in between.

On average, entrepreneurs in Flevoland pay just over 400 euros for a horeca (hospitality) permit. This is nearly double the amount from ten years ago, when the national average was around 240 euros. Lelystad has the highest permit cost in the province, charging 807 euros, while Almere (567 euros) and Dronten (708 euros) also have relatively high fees. In contrast, Zeewolde charges only 147 euros, and Noordoostpolder offers permits for 111 euros. Urk remains the cheapest, with a permit costing just 51 euros, according to the local government website.

The discrepancy in fees is largely due to the fact that municipalities in the Netherlands have the autonomy to set their own permit prices. While a horeca permit is not legally required, municipalities can decide whether to impose such a fee and determine its cost. This has resulted in significant variations in permit fees across the country. For example, in major cities like Amsterdam, the cost of a horeca permit can reach nearly 3,000 euros, with Utrecht and Tilburg charging more than 1,800 euros. In contrast, there are about 20 municipalities where no permit is required, or the cost is nonexistent, including Noardeast-Fryslân and Zoeterwoude.

The wide variation in permit costs has drawn criticism, particularly from the hospitality sector. Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, the industry association, has called the differences "scandalous," arguing that it puts a disproportionate financial burden on entrepreneurs. The association suggests that local governments are imposing excessive fees on business owners, despite the fact that these businesses are valuable to the local economy and contribute to the livability of their communities.

The problem is not limited to Flevoland. In Utrecht, for example, the cost of a horeca permit is significantly higher than in other municipalities. A permit in Renswoude costs just 180 euros, while in Utrecht, it can rise to 1,844 euros. Utrecht is one of the most expensive cities in the Netherlands for permits, with only Amsterdam having a higher fee at 2,903 euros.

Other municipalities in Utrecht province with high fees include Eemnes (1,116 euros), Woerden (1,102 euros), Amersfoort (850 euros), and Veenendaal (843 euros). On the other hand, places like Montfoort (231 euros), Lopik (217 euros), and IJsselstein (215 euros) charge less than 250 euros.

The variation in permit costs has led Koninklijke Horeca Nederland to call for government intervention. The organization is advocating for a maximum fee for horeca permits, allowing municipalities to maintain their discretion over pricing while preventing excessive costs that currently burden small business owners. In some cases, municipalities like Noardeast-Fryslân and Zoeterwoude charge no permit fee at all, further highlighting the disparity across the country.