Restaurant Licences and Permits in Tanzania: 8 Documents You Need Before You Open

Juma spent four months and most of his savings turning an old shop in Mwenge into a bright little grill restaurant. The tables were in. The menu was printed. Then an inspector walked in two days before opening and asked for his food premises certificate. He had never heard of it. The opening moved by six weeks.

That story is common, and it is avoidable. Most restaurants in Tanzania need eight documents: business registration with BRELA, a TIN from TRA, a business licence from the council, food premises registration with TBS, a fire safety certificate, OSHA workplace registration, health checks for anyone who handles food, and a liquor licence if you sell alcohol. Here is what each one is, who issues it and the order that saves you time.

A quick note before we start: rules, fees and offices change. Use this guide as a map, then confirm the current requirements with your municipal council and each authority before you pay rent or start building.

1. Do you need to register with BRELA?

Yes. The Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) registers business names and companies. A sole owner often starts with a registered business name. If you have partners or investors, or you want to borrow from a bank, a limited company may suit you better. Registration is done online through BRELA's system, and you will receive a certificate you need for almost everything that follows.

2. How do you get a TIN?

Every business needs a Taxpayer Identification Number from the Tanzania Revenue Authority. You apply with your ID and business registration documents. TRA will also tell you which taxes apply to you and whether you need an electronic fiscal device (EFD) to issue receipts. Keep every receipt and record from the first day. It is much easier than rebuilding them at the end of the year.

3. Which business licence does a restaurant need?

A restaurant that serves a local area usually gets its business licence from the municipal, town or city council where it operates. The council will normally ask for your registration certificate, TIN, a lease or proof of the premises and sometimes other permits. Ask the council's trade office for their current checklist and fees before you apply. Display the licence where customers and inspectors can see it, and renew it on time.

4. What is TBS food premises registration?

Since 2019, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has been responsible for registering food premises, a job that used to sit with the former TFDA. The law says food should only be prepared, stored or sold in premises that are registered. TBS has said it works with local councils, including in Dar es Salaam, to register and inspect food premises.

Inspectors usually look at:

• Clean walls, floors and ceilings that are easy to wash.
• Clean water, handwashing points and toilets for staff.
• Safe storage: raw and cooked food apart, food off the floor, working fridges and freezers.
• Pest control and proper waste bins.
• Staff hygiene: clean uniforms, hair covered, no smoking near food.

Plan your renovation with this list in mind. It is cheaper to tile a wall during building work than to redo it after a failed inspection. Our food safety rules for chips vendors apply to restaurants too.

5. Why do you need a fire safety certificate?

Restaurants use gas, hot oil and electricity in a small space, so fire safety matters. The Fire and Rescue Force (Jeshi la Zimamoto na Uokoaji) inspects premises and issues a fire safety certificate. Expect them to check fire extinguishers (including one suitable for oil fires near the fryer), a fire blanket, safe gas cylinder storage, clear exits and emergency signs.

Two habits that help every kitchen: never leave a fryer unattended, and never throw water on burning oil. Turn off the heat and cover the fire.

6. Do restaurants need to register with OSHA?

Yes, if you employ people. The Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) registers workplaces and checks that they are safe for workers. In a kitchen that means safe electrics, good ventilation, non-slip floors, first aid supplies and training on knives, hot oil and gas.

When you employ staff you will also register with NSSF for social security and the Workers Compensation Fund.

7. What health checks do food handlers need?

Anyone who prepares or serves food is normally expected to have a medical examination from an approved health facility, and the local health office may ask to see the certificates. Requirements differ between councils, so ask your council's health department what they expect and how often checks must be renewed. Keep a simple file with each worker's certificate and its expiry date.

8. Do you need a licence to sell alcohol?

Yes. Selling beer, wine or spirits requires a separate liquor licence, usually through the local authority, with rules on opening hours and location. If alcohol is part of your plan, ask about it at the same time as your business licence, because it can affect which premises you choose.

In what order should you apply?

The exact order can change by council, and some offices want certain certificates before they issue others. Ask at the council first and write down their list.

How can you make the process faster?

• Make one folder. Keep copies of your ID, BRELA certificate, TIN, lease and photos of the premises. You will hand these over again and again.
• Visit before you sign the lease. Ask the council and fire officers if the building can be used for a restaurant. Some buildings cannot.
• Build for the inspection. Washable surfaces, a handwash sink, ventilation over the cooking area and space for proper storage.
• Budget for fees and time. Leave several weeks between finishing the building and your opening date.
• Get receipts for every payment. Only pay official fees through official channels.

Authorities in Tanzania do carry out checks on eating places. In 2026, local media reported a crackdown on restaurants posing public health risks. Having your papers in order protects your investment and your customers.

What happens after you open?

Licences are not a one-time job. Put every renewal date in your phone calendar a month early. Keep the kitchen ready for an inspection every day, not just the week you expect one. And keep records of cleaning, fridge temperatures and staff training. If something goes wrong, those records show you took food safety seriously.

Once the paperwork is done, you can focus on the fun part: the food. Our guide on how to start a restaurant in Tanzania covers the rest of the journey.

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In short

A restaurant in Tanzania usually needs eight documents: BRELA business registration, a TIN from TRA, a business licence from the council, TBS food premises registration, a fire safety certificate, OSHA workplace registration, health certificates for food handlers, and a liquor licence if it sells alcohol. Confirm current requirements with your council, start early, and design your kitchen to pass the inspection.

Frequently asked questions