The commercial licence of the Government of Catalonia is the administrative authorisation required to carry out a specific commercial activity in a particular premises and location.

To process the licence, you must:

• Self-assess and pay the commercial licence fee. This step must be completed first, before submitting the application. At this stage, you will pay the first instalment of the fee, corresponding to 65%.
• Apply for the licence. After making the initial payment, you can submit the application. Once the proposed resolution has been notified, you will have 15 working days to pay the remaining 35% of the fee.
• Notify the start of the activity. Once you have the resolution granting the commercial licence, you must notify the commencement of your business. You have a maximum of three years to start the activity for which the licence has been granted.

Which establishments must apply for the licence?

• New establishments and changes of activity of retail establishments, individual or collective, with a sales area equal to or greater than 2,500 m², including expansions when the total area reaches or exceeds this threshold.
• New establishments and changes of activity with a sales area between 800 m² and 2,500 m² located outside consolidated urban areas (TUC), under the conditions set out in Article 9.3.a) and 9.3.b).
• New establishments and changes of activity of singular retail establishments, individual or collective, with a sales area equal to or greater than 5,000 m², including expansions that reach or exceed this threshold.

What to do once the licence is obtained

• You must certify compliance with the conditions established in the granting resolution, if applicable.
• You must notify the start of the licensed activity within three years of obtaining the licence.
• As the licence holder, you may request an extension for completing the purpose of the licence, if necessary.

As owners or promoters of the aforementioned establishments, provided that the establishments are located in Catalonia and carry out a commercial activity.