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Responsible for the service Regional State Administrative Agency

Licences, notifications and changes related to serving alcoholic beverages and the approval of premi

  • Permit or other obligation
  • Nationwide except the Åland Islands
  • Public service

Serving alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of over 2.8% is a licenced business activity. Before starting to serve alcohol, an alcohol serving licence has to be applied for and obtained from the Regional State Administrative Agency. An alcohol serving licence is specific to each company. You can apply the Regional State Administrative Agency for an alcohol serving licence for a certain loc ...

Do the following

Use the e-service to electronically fill in the applications and notifications related to serving alcoholic beverages. The electronic system will guide you in filling in applications and notifications, and they

Alternatively, you can fill in a form and deliver it to the Regional State Administrative Agency. More detailed instructions are available on each form.

Application for serving alcoholic beverages

  • Catering licence application
  • Notification of serving alcohol in an approved serving location
  • Application for approval of a location for serving alcohol
  • Self-supervision plan for serving of alcoholic beverages on licensed premises
  • Biannual report of serving alcohol

To whom and on what terms

The Regional State Administrative Agency will grant an alcohol serving licence to a natural or legal person who fulfils the conditions for applicants laid down in the Alcohol Act and the conditions required for carrying out operations. To apply for a licence, you need a valid business ID.

A serving licence cannot be granted to a limited company, general partnership, limited partnership, cooperative or association that is being set up, as they will only have legal capacity after their registration.

To apply for approval for using a facility or area as a pre-approved serving location, you have to own or manage the facility or area in question.


Processing time

Apply for licences and approvals related to serving alcohol well in advance before starting operations. The indicative processing time for applications is approximately one month. There are certain deadlines for notifications related to serving alcohol, which vary depending on the notification. You can find more detailed information on the deadlines in the Alcohol Act and in e-services or forms.

Period of validity

An alcohol serving licence and approval for using a facility or area as a pre-approved serving location is granted until further notice or for a fixed period.

The service is provided by

Regional State Administrative Agency

Other responsible organisations

National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health

Responsible for the service

Regional State Administrative Agency
Text edited by: Regional State Administrative Agency
Updated: 12/1/2024