Licence or declaración responsable to open a premises

What you need to have at hand

1. Cl@ve PIN/permanent or certificado digital. Without this the sede will kick you out.
2. Premises data (exact address and referencia catastral). Get it at https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es.
3. Well-defined activity (no vagueness: bar without music, hairdresser, clothes shop…). Requirements change depending on what you declare.
4. Technician if needed (architect/engineer) for memoria or proyecto. If you think you can skip it, check before you pay tasas.

Documentation

1. ID of the owner (DNI/NIE) and NIF of the company with escrituras and powers.
2. Title to the premises: tenancy contract or escritura.
3. Measured planos (layout, areas, evacuation) and memoria técnica or proyecto if your activity requires it.
4. Compatibilidad urbanística (consulta or prior certificate) if your Ayuntamiento asks for it. Strongly recommended.
5. Installation certificates: electrical (boletín), gas if present, HVAC (RITE), PCI (extinguishers, BIEs, detectors) and acoustic study if there is music or noise.
6. RC insurance (hospitality, workshops, etc.) and self-protection plan if required by capacity.
7. Proof of payment of the tasa municipal (and ICIO if there are works).

Step by step

1. Check urban compatibility of the premises. Go to your sede (e.g. Madrid: https://sede.madrid.es; Barcelona: https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/tramits) and look for “compatibilidad/consulta urbanística”. If it doesn’t exist, at least review the local planning.
2. Decide DR or licence: inocuous activities usually go via declaración responsable (immediate). With music, kitchen, risks or public access, you’ll need licencia ambiental and inspection.
3. Prepare the memoria/proyecto: plans, fire measures, accessibility, ventilation, waste, capacity and, if needed, an estudio acústico. Don’t underestimate this: a poor report gets rejected.
4. Fill in the online procedure: on the municipal sede search “Apertura/Actividad”. Complete details, attach compressed PDFs (<10–20 MB), and sign with Cl@ve/certificado.
5. Pay the tasa: the sede usually generates the autoliquidation or payment gateway. Pay and keep the proof.
6. Submit and download the receipt. If it’s a DR, you can open from that moment with the receipt visible. If it’s a licence with inspection, wait for the appointment and the resolution.
7. If you’re doing works, file the licencia/DR de obras separately and pay the ICIO before starting.

Time-saving tips

1. Do the urban compatibility check before renting. It saves a lot if the area doesn’t allow your activity.
2. Reuse old licences: if the premises already had the same activity, request a cambio de titular. It’s cheaper and faster.
3. Upload signed and compressed PDFs. Sedes choke on large files.
4. Have extinguishers and signage installed before inspection. Getting knocked back for that is classic.
5. Provide a clear memoria and photos of the premises as they are. Inspectors like things handed to them on a plate.

Common mistakes that can mess up the procedure

1. Opening without paperwork: fine + closure. Not worth it.
2. Declaring an activity inocua when it isn’t: inspection will catch noise, extraction or capacity issues and you’ll get a tough requirement with tight deadlines.
3. Forgetting ICIO if there are works: another fine and a stop order.
4. Not planning accessibility: ramps, adapted toilets… If you don’t comply, no licence.
5. Exceeding capacity without evacuation justification. The numbers must match the plans.
6. Not paying the tasa or not attaching the receipt: they’ll reject or require it and you’ll lose weeks.