Patras has a busy food and drink scene: students all year round, people in the centre and along the waterfront, summers in Rio and the Carnival in winter. That is why many people think about opening a small cafe, a snack bar or a restaurant. Finding the right premises, though, is only the first step.
This guide does not replace a full feasibility study, but it gives you the order in which things happen, so that you are not paying rent for months while waiting for a document.
1. Before you sign a lease
The most expensive mistake is to rent premises and then discover they cannot operate as a food service business. Before signing, check with an engineer:
- the permitted land use and whether the activity is allowed at that specific spot
- the building permit and any unauthorised alterations
- the flue, the sanitary facilities and the specifications for your type of business
- the cost of the required fire safety measures
If possible, include a clause in the lease so that rent starts after a grace period for the works.
2. Legal form
Small businesses often start as sole proprietorships. If there are partners or a larger investment, a private company (IKE) or a general partnership may suit you better. The choice affects tax, social security contributions, liability for debts and the cost of accounting, so it is worth doing the numbers before registering.
3. Registering the activity and the activity codes
Registration is done electronically with the tax authority, or through the General Commercial Registry for companies. The activity code must describe exactly what you will do: the code for a cafe is different from the code for a restaurant, while delivery or takeaway may require additional codes. The wrong code can affect your permit, your eligibility for funding programmes and your VAT rate. See also our guide to registering a sole proprietorship.
4. Operating notification and supporting documents
Food service businesses today do not obtain a permit in the old way. They submit an electronic operating notification in the relevant system. That does not mean no documents are needed. Keep an organised file, because inspections ask for it:
- premises details and a floor plan from an engineer
- health certificates for staff handling food
- a food safety system and temperature records
- fire safety measures appropriate to the size and type of the business
5. The costs people forget
Everyone puts rent, equipment and supplies in the business plan. What is often forgotten:
- fees for tables and chairs in public space, which require a permit from the Municipality of Patras
- royalties for the music played in the business
- a cash register, a card terminal and the connection between them
- an ordering system and e-invoicing
- the owner’s own social security contributions from the first month
- working capital for the first months, while sales are not yet stable
6. Staff
Food service is one of the most frequently inspected sectors for labour law. Before the door opens, hirings must be declared in the ERGANI system, along with the working hours and the digital work card. Penalties for undeclared work are high and in practice there is no such thing as a “trial day” without a declaration.
The order of things at a glance
- check the premises with an engineer
- business plan and choice of legal form with the accountant
- lease and registration of the activity with the correct codes
- works, fire safety and operating notification
- cash register, card terminal and invoicing software
- hirings in ERGANI and staff training
- opening
Procedures and required documents change often, so we always confirm them before starting an engagement. If you are preparing a business in Patras, contact us and we will help you start correctly from day one. See also our services.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to open a cafe in Patras?
Food service businesses submit an electronic operating notification, but they must meet all the specifications and keep the supporting documents available for inspection. Tables and chairs in public space require a permit from the municipality.
Sole proprietorship or IKE for a small cafe?
It depends on whether there are partners, the size of the investment and the expected profit. A calculation with the accountant before registering shows which one suits you.
How early must an employee be declared in ERGANI?
The hiring is declared before the employee starts working, including on the first day.
Which activity code do I need for a cafe with delivery?
You need a code covering the main activity and, depending on how you operate, delivery or takeaway. The right combination is worth checking with the accountant before registration.