OPENING A RESTAURANT
THERE IS A LITTLE MORE TO IT...
DO YOU WANT TO START A CATERING BUSINESS?
If you want to establish a hospitality business in Curaçao, then get ready. Currently this is a long and complicated procedure because there are so many conditions you must meet and so many different permits you must apply for that you really need a long breath and a lot of patience. First, all of your documents must be in order. If you were born and raised in Curaçao or if one or both of your parents were born in Curaçao, then there is no problem and you do not need to apply for a permit such as a legal certificate, work permit or residence permit. If the above does not apply to you, you must first obtain the required permit(s). Only if these permits are in order for you personally you can start with the entire process of setting up a business and then the proper permits for opening a catering establishment.
Once the above documents are in order, the entire process of filing and issuing a Horeca/restaurant permit can begin.
Hospitality permit also called a Horeca permit or restaurant permit.
Because the laws in Curaçao are very outdated in many areas and are still not adapted, it is very difficult to know which procedure you should follow and what exceptions there are or what is and what is not "tolerated". Also, you are sent from pillar to post.
It starts with the location. Is it suitable for a restaurant? Is it in a residential, commercial or industrial area? Is it a listed building, is it leased, are you renting it or did you buy it? Is it 1 building or are there multiple buildings and is it 1 plot or an amalgamated plot? Does it already have a building permit or does it need to be applied for? All important questions that you need to know the answers to before you decide whether you want and can start a restaurant at that specific location.
If all the above issues are clear and meet the requirements to start a restaurant at that location then you can start the process of obtaining a "Horeca/Restaurant Permit".
