Try it for yourself
256Distinguishing the catalogue answer from current rules

The exam answer names a restaurant licence from the responsible authority.

This is the answer in the existing question bank. In current practice, that licence is not mandatory for every restaurant in every federal state.

About 4 min readReviewed: 20 October 2026
AI-generated restaurant table with a plate, cutlery, napkin and blank menu card.
Official state guidanceRestaurant law in Baden-Württemberg
Fictional restaurant still life without any claim of permission or registration.
The short answer

In the test: a restaurant licence from the responsible authority.

In this catalogue question, select a restaurant licence from the responsible authority. For an actual business opening, the current rules of the state and the particular operation must be checked; some use a notification procedure.

Try it for yourselfExam question · No. 256
A married couple wants to open a restaurant in Germany. What do they absolutely need?

Choose one answer. Your result stays on this page only.

“Absolutely” is too broad as a general statement of current law.

The four options test which kind of authority deals with a restaurant business. The correct catalogue answer identifies the responsible authority. A political party, the police or the residents’ registration service does not grant the general restaurant permission meant here.

The law is not uniform everywhere. On 1 January 2026, Baden-Württemberg replaced its previous restaurant licence for permanent establishments with a notification procedure. Official guidance covers businesses both with and without alcohol service. The unchanged exam answer must therefore not be read as current nationwide business-startup instructions.

Two fictional adults with short light and long dark hair discuss a blank notebook at a restaurant table.
AI-generated planning scene, not actual operators or administrative proceedings.

The other three answers

The other three answers do not identify the appropriate administrative basis.

a police permit

A police permit is not the correct catalogue answer. Police functions are not the same as the restaurant-law procedure.

a party approval

A political party does not grant official permission to open a restaurant. Political approval is not business authorisation.

a permit from the residents' registration office

The residents’ registration office records addresses. Address registration does not replace the procedure applicable to a restaurant business.

Licence-free does not mean free of all obligations.

The federal Restaurant Act itself contains licensing exemptions, for example for serving only non-alcoholic drinks or prepared food. Whether that Act or replacement state law applies must be checked for the location.

Notification and licensing are different procedures. Other requirements, such as those relating to premises and operation, may still apply. This study guide therefore does not approve any particular restaurant.

Restaurant law in Baden-Württemberg · Official state guidance ↗
Your memory cue

Exam answer: restaurant licence. Practice: check current state rules.

Keep the fixed quiz answer while remembering the important qualification about current law.

Three words for this question

die Gaststättenerlaubnisrestaurant licence
Official permission under the applicable restaurant law.
die Anzeigenotification
Required notification to an authority; not the same as a licence.
die zuständige Behörderesponsible authority
The public body responsible for a particular administrative function.
Regierungspräsidien Baden-Württemberg · Gaststättenrecht ↗

Match authorities to their particular functions.

253Where must you register if you move in Germany?
Catalogue answer

at the residents' registration office

The registration authority handles address registration.

255For parenting problems, parents in Germany can get help from the …
Catalogue answer

youth welfare office.

The youth welfare office offers support with parenting difficulties.

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Sources & context

An independently written study guide, not an official BAMF publication or advice for an individual case. The sources below were reviewed on 20 October 2026 for the claims explained here; the test question comes from the existing question bank.

  • Regierungspräsidien Baden-Württemberg · Gaststättenrecht ↗Since 1 January 2026, permanent restaurant businesses there use a notification procedure instead of the former restaurant licence, including when serving alcohol.
  • Gaststättengesetz · § 2 ↗The federal Act includes licensing rules and exemptions, including for non-alcoholic drinks and prepared food; state law must be considered. Official indexed Act checked; direct retrieval of the individual provision unavailable.
  • BAMF · Gesamtfragenkatalog ↗Question 256 from the existing question bank, stated catalogue date 7 May 2025. The PDF could not be retrieved during this review; the existing questions and translations were not replaced.

The two editorial pictures are AI-generated illustrations. They do not document real events or official proceedings.