Licences to open a restaurant or café in Delhi
5 required licences and registrations, the official fee for each, the office that issues it and the documents to keep ready. Based on a typical small restaurant or café with 1 to 5 staff and turnover of ₹20 to 40 lakh a year.
Fees checked: 27 Sep 2026
Required licences
5
Known official fees
₹40,000
first year, plus 1 that vary
Issuing city body
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
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Required licences and official fees
For a restaurant or café in Delhi (MCD area), Delhi.
| Licence | Issued by | Official fee | Time | Apply at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PANCentral | Income Tax Department | Freeinstant e-PAN with Aadhaar | Same day | incometax.gov.in (Instant e-PAN) |
| GST registrationCentral | GST Network / State GST Department | Freeno government fee | About 7 working days | gst.gov.in |
| FSSAI State LicenceState | Designated Officer, State Food Safety | ₹2,000per year | Up to 60 days, may include inspection | foscos.fssai.gov.in |
| Health Trade Licence (MCD)Municipal | MCD Public Health Department | ₹23,000 + ₹15,000₹23,000 a year plus ₹15,000 one-time registration, 21 to 50 seats | Apply with your FSSAI certificate | mcdonline.nic.in/htlmcd |
| Music licence (PPL and IPRS)Private | PPL India (sound recordings) and IPRS (songs) | ₹17,500 + ₹20,000a year: PPL (21 to 40 seats, metro) plus IPRS (restaurant, metro); GST extra | About a week | pplindia.org / iprs.org |
Fees are the official government fees, not agent charges. Some fees depend on your size or change by office, so confirm on the portal before paying.
Order to apply in
- Identity and tax registration: PAN, GST registration. Do these first. Later forms ask for PAN and GST.
- Sector licence: FSSAI State Licence. The licence that lets you legally run this type of business.
- Municipal licence: Health Trade Licence (MCD). Permission from your city for these premises.
- Conditional and optional: Music licence (PPL and IPRS). Only if they apply to how you operate.
Documents to keep ready
- Aadhaar linked to your mobile number
- For a firm or company: incorporation certificate or partnership deed
- PAN of the business
- Aadhaar and photo of the owner or partners
- Proof of premises: electricity bill plus rent agreement or owner's NOC
- Bank statement or cancelled cheque
- Form B, signed
- Kitchen layout plan with dimensions
- List of equipment
- Photo ID and address proof of owner or partners
- Proof of premises
- Food Safety Management System plan
- FSSAI certificate (for food trades)
- Property tax receipt or rent agreement with owner NOC
- Site plan of the premises
- Photo ID of the owner
- Fire NOC or fire safety affidavit, where applicable
- Business details and address
- Seating capacity or floor area
- GSTIN
Also check if these apply
- Udyam (MSME) registration: Free. Free. Gets you the lower trademark fee, MSME loan schemes and protection against delayed payments.
- Shops and Establishments registration: Free. In Delhi this is now needed only once you have 20 or more employees.
Common questions
How much do licences cost for a restaurant or café in Delhi?
The known official fees for the required licences add up to about ₹40,000 in the first year, plus 1 fee that depend on your size or the office (Music licence (PPL and IPRS)). This is the government fee only. Agents and consultants charge extra, which you can avoid by applying yourself on the official portals.
Which licence should I apply for first?
Start with PAN and GST registration, because almost every later form asks for them. Then apply for the sector licence (FSSAI State Licence), followed by the municipal licence and the state labour registration.
Do I need a trade licence from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi?
Yes. For a restaurant or café you need the Health Trade Licence (MCD). The official fee is ₹23,000 + ₹15,000 (₹23,000 a year plus ₹15,000 one-time registration, 21 to 50 seats). Apply at mcdonline.nic.in/htlmcd.
How long does it take to get all the licences?
Most registrations like PAN, GST and Udyam come through within a week. Sector and municipal licences can take 30 to 60 days where an inspection is needed, so apply for those as early as possible and before you open.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.