SECTION 1: F&B Licences and Permits at a Glance (table)
Every F&B concept in Singapore needs a different combination of licences. Use this table to identify which ones apply to your business before you commit to a lease or renovation.
| Licence or Permit | Issuing Agency | Who Needs It | Fee | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Shop Licence | Singapore Food Agency (SFA) | All retail food outlets: restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, bakeries, takeaways, canteens | S$195 per year | Subject to document review and pre-licensing inspection; apply only after premises are ready |
| Food Stall Licence | Singapore Food Agency (SFA) | Individual stalls within hawker centres, coffee shops, food courts, and canteens | Lower annual fee than a Food Shop Licence | Similar process via GoBusiness |
| Food Safety Course Level 1 | SkillsFuture accredited training providers | Every food handler, before they begin handling food | Course fees vary by provider; heavily subsidised for Singaporeans and PRs | Half day to one day course |
| Liquor Licence Class 1A | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Sale of all liquor types for on-premises consumption, 6am to midnight | S$880 per year | About 2 weeks |
| Liquor Licence Class 1B | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Sale of all liquor types for on-premises consumption, 6am to 10pm | S$660 per year | About 2 weeks |
| Liquor Licence Class 2A | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Sale of beer only for on-premises consumption, 6am to midnight | S$460 per year | About 2 weeks |
| Liquor Licence Class 2B | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Sale of beer only, hawker licence holders | S$285 per year | About 2 weeks |
| Liquor Licence Class 5 | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Temporary events up to 30 days | S$22 to S$220 depending on duration | Apply ahead of event |
| Halal Certification | Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) | Optional; establishments serving Muslim customers | Varies by certification scheme and premises size | Several weeks to months including audit |
| Public Entertainment Licence | Singapore Police Force (PLRD) | Venues with live music, performances, or game machines | Varies by entertainment category | Apply via GoBusiness |
| Import Licence / Trader Registration | Singapore Food Agency (SFA) | Businesses importing food ingredients or products | Varies by food category | Register before first import |
| GST Registration | IRAS | Mandatory once annual taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million | No fee | Within 30 days of becoming liable |
All SFA and Police licences are applied for through the GoBusiness Licensing portal using SingPass or CorpPass.
SECTION 2: The SFA Food Shop Licence: What to Expect
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is the single national regulator for food safety, and its Food Shop Licence is the one licence no retail F&B business can operate without. Understanding the process in advance prevents the most common and expensive mistake new owners make: signing a lease and completing a renovation that fails SFA requirements.
When to apply
Apply through GoBusiness only after you have secured your premises and your renovation is at or near completion, because SFA assesses the actual fitted-out premises. However, you should review SFA's licensing requirements before renovation begins, and ideally before signing the lease, to confirm the premises is approved for food use by URA or HDB.
What SFA requires
- Tenancy agreement and stamp duty documents for the premises
- A layout plan drawn to metric scale, with dimensions and the scale ratio indicated, clearly showing kitchen equipment, exhaust systems, sinks, and wash basins
- Food Safety Course Level 1 certificates for food handlers
- Approved use of the premises for food retail (URA change of use or HDB approval where applicable)
The application flow
- Submit the application on GoBusiness with SingPass or CorpPass
- Respond promptly to any SFA requests for action; unanswered requests can close your application after seven days
- Receive in-principle approval (IPA) once the application and layout are in order
- Complete any pre-licensing inspection requirements
- Pay the S$195 licence fee within 28 days of the payment notification, or the application lapses
- Print your licence via GoBusiness and display it at your premises
You may only begin operating after the licence is approved and paid for. In-principle approval alone does not permit you to start selling food.
Staying compliant after licensing
The licence is valid for one year and renewal opens about two months before expiry. Expect periodic SFA inspections, maintain your food handlers' training records, and implement a Food Safety Management System where required. Repeated hygiene lapses accumulate demerit points and can lead to suspension.
SECTION 3: How Much Does It Cost to Start an F&B Business in Singapore?
Founders consistently underestimate the gap between government fees, which are modest, and commercial setup costs, which are not. Here is the realistic picture.
Government and registration fees (fixed)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| ACRA business name application | S$15 |
| ACRA company incorporation | S$300 |
| ACRA sole proprietorship or partnership registration | S$100 per year |
| SFA Food Shop Licence | S$195 per year |
| Liquor licence (if applicable) | S$285 to S$880 per year by class |
| Food Safety Course Level 1, per handler | Varies by provider, subsidised for locals |
Total government fees for a typical restaurant with a liquor licence usually come to under S$1,500 for the first year.
Commercial setup costs (estimates, vary widely by concept and location)
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Rental deposit (usually 3 months) | S$15,000 to S$60,000 |
| Monthly rent | S$5,000 to S$20,000 and above in prime areas |
| Renovation and fit-out | S$50,000 to S$300,000 |
| Kitchen equipment | S$20,000 to S$100,000 |
| Initial inventory | S$5,000 to S$20,000 |
| POS system and technology | S$2,000 to S$10,000 |
| Working capital reserve (3 to 6 months) | S$30,000 to S$150,000 |
A hawker stall can launch for under S$50,000 in total, a modest café typically requires S$100,000 to S$250,000, and a full-service restaurant commonly requires S$250,000 to S$700,000 or more.
Reducing your outlay
Grants such as the Enterprise Development Grant and Productivity Solutions Grant, covered above, can offset a meaningful share of qualifying technology and upgrading costs. Taking over an existing fitted F&B unit can also cut renovation costs substantially, though the premises must still meet current SFA requirements under your own licence.
FAQs
Can I run a food business from home in Singapore?
Yes, small-scale home-based food businesses are allowed under HDB and URA home-based business rules, and they do not require an SFA Food Shop Licence. You must prepare food for direct sale to consumers, keep the operation small in scale without employees or heavy equipment, and maintain good food hygiene practices. Once you move into commercial premises or scale beyond home-based limits, full SFA licensing applies.
What SSIC code should I use for an F&B business?
The SSIC code declared during ACRA registration must match your actual activity. Most restaurants fall under SSIC 56111 and cafés and coffee houses under 56112, with separate codes for food courts, catering, and takeaway concepts. Choosing the right code matters because agencies and grant schemes use it to identify your business activity. You can update it via BizFile+ if your concept changes.
Do I need a separate licence for each F&B outlet?
Yes. The SFA Food Shop Licence is issued per premises, so each outlet requires its own application, layout plan, and inspection, and each pays its own S$195 annual fee. A liquor licence is likewise tied to the specific licensed premises named in it.
Can I take over an existing restaurant's food licence?
No. SFA licences are not transferable, and the licensee name and licence type cannot be amended. If you take over an existing F&B business, or your entity's UEN changes through a merger or acquisition, you must submit a fresh Food Shop Licence application on GoBusiness under the new entity, even if the premises and layout stay the same.
What happens if I operate a food business without a licence in Singapore?
Operating a retail food establishment without a valid SFA licence is an offence and can result in fines, enforcement action, and closure of the premises. You also cannot legalise the situation retroactively, since operations may only begin after the licence is approved and paid for. Selling liquor without a liquor licence separately carries fines of up to S$20,000 under the Liquor Control Act.
