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Apply for a restaurant licence

Last updated on August 27th, 2026

Use this service to apply for or renew a restaurant licence with the Environmental Health Department.

Who is this licence for

You need a restaurant licence if you operate a restaurant in Barbados.

A restaurant is defined as:

  • premises where any food or drink whatever is sold to any person for consumption on the premises; or
  • a catering establishment where food or drink is sold for consumption elsewhere than on the premises

Read the Health Services (Restaurants) Regulations, 1969 for the full legal requirements.

You may require a different licence if you own:

  • Stalls, which includes any stand, marquee, tent or mobile canteen, do not need a restaurant licence, and you should apply for a food business licence instead.
  • Bakers, there is a separate licence for bakers. This service isn't online currently. Please visit the polyclinic within the catchment area of your establishment.

Before you start

You may need to provide:

  • your current restaurant licence number (if renewing)
  • a document listing your staff, giving each person's name and gender (staff list)
  • details about other places where food or drink is prepared
  • medical certificates for your staff, which can be uploaded with your application or provided at inspection
  • Floor plan layout drawn to scale with your application, showing the size of the different areas and where they are (if applicable).

Renewing - you only need to submit a new floor layout if you have made structural changes to the restaurant since your previous licence was obtained.

New Restaurants - If this is a new restaurant, you should have applied to the Planning and Development Department for approval of your restaurant plans (this department was previously called Town and Country Planning).

All staff within the restaurant need a valid medical certificate from a registered doctor. Medical certificates expire on 31 December each year, and should be renewed before the first working day in January each year. You can upload the certificates with your application or provide them at the inspection.

When to apply

Your licence expires on December 31st each year. You need to renew it by the first business day in January each year. It is suggested that you submit your application by December 1st.

Complete the form

There are 2 ways to apply for a restaurant licence. You can:

  1. Apply for a licence online

    Allow about 15 minutes to complete the form.

    Start now

  2. Get a paper application from the polyclinic

    You must complete it by hand and submit the application to the polyclinic associated with the district where the restaurant is located. If you require further information or assistance, contact the polyclinic - information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Cost

There is neither a cost to apply, nor to receive your licence.

What happens after you apply

  • Environmental Health will review your application and an officer will be assigned to your case.
  • They must inspect the restaurant before they can issue a licence. More than one visit may be required before the issuing of a licence.
  • If there are any contraventions of the health services restaurant regulations, you will be given instructions to rectify them within a specified time period. Until the contraventions are rectified, you will be unable to get your application approved. Failure to comply may result in receiving recommendations to cancel the licence, close the establishment, or be subject to prosecution.

Obtaining your licence:

  • If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email and the Environmental Health Office will mail your licence. In addition, you can also request to collect it from your assigned polyclinic.

Once you receive your licence, it must be displayed in the establishment.

Contact

If you need help, contact the relevant Environmental Health Service office.