256. A married couple wants to open a restaurant in Germany. What do they absolutely need for this?

Answer options

1. a permit from the police
2. an authorization from a political party
3. an authorization from the residents’ registration office
4. a restaurant license (Gaststättenerlaubnis) from the competent authority

Explanation

Under Article 12(1) of the Basic Law there is freedom of occupation, but the hospitality trade is regulated by ordinary legislation—the Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung) and, since the 2006 federalism reform, primarily Länder hospitality statutes (in many cases replacing the former federal Gaststättengesetz). A restaurant that serves alcoholic beverages generally requires a restaurant license (Gaststättenerlaubnis) from the competent local public order or trade authority; if only non‑alcoholic drinks are served, business registration usually suffices. The licensing requirement protects public interests (reliability checks, youth and public health protection) and is unrelated to the police, political parties, or the residents’ registration office.