Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sint-Niklaas is tightening control over its hospitality sector by requiring all new horeca businesses to obtain a municipal operating license at least 45 days before opening, a move aimed at preventing “ghost openings” and catching safety and compliance failures before doors unlock.
- Why is Sint-Niklaas introducing a pre-opening license now?
- What exactly must new operators do under the new rule?
- Which documents and attestations are required?
- How will the city decide to grant or delay permission?
- How will the rule change day-to-day enforcement?
- What happens if someone opens without the license?
Why is Sint-Niklaas introducing a pre-opening license now?
The city contends that the rule is necessary due to the unstable local horeca environment, where promises of new businesses frequently do not materialize in reality, and where inspections done post-facto have consistently revealed violations of fire, food, and labor codes. By moving the point of inspection forward, the authorities aim to avoid reactionary closures and promote fair business practices among compliant enterprises.
What exactly must new operators do under the new rule?
Under the policy, which was adopted by the city council of Sint-Niklaas towards the end of August 2026, all new establishments in the hospitality sector must present a clearly defined dossier and obtain city approval prior to beginning their operations. The timeline for submission of the application is quite clear – 45 days in advance of the proposed starting day, which allows sufficient time for the documents to be verified, and for additional data to be requested if required.
Which documents and attestations are required?
It specifies a basic package of about ten requirements, which can be supplemented if there are any doubts regarding the dossier. The identity card of the operator or his lawyer, an excerpt from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO) and the statutes of the company, when applicable, will be required. First and foremost, it should be noted that the dossier has to include the fire safety certificate, confirmation of civil liability insurance, and FAVV (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) authorization of the premises. Finally, the rights of use of the premises (deed of ownership, lease, or concession contract) make up the basic dossier of the applicant.
How will the city decide to grant or delay permission?
For straightforward, compliant cases, officials stress that the license is largely a formality. However, the process is designed to surface red flags early.
“For those who approach things in a healthy and correct way, this is no more than a formality… If additional investigation is needed, a whole range of extra things can be requested,”
said Mayor Lieven Dehandschutter (N-VA), framing the rule as a targeted filter rather than a blanket hurdle. The intent is to intervene before customers are exposed to risk, not to punish legitimate entrepreneurs after they have invested in fit-out and staffing.
How will the rule change day-to-day enforcement?
Through this approach of seeking permissions beforehand, Sint-Niklaas seeks to shift its approach from punishing offenders after opening to verifying compliance before opening. “For the places where we get the feeling that ‘there might be something,’ we can step in on time,” Dehandschutter said, indicating the city’s intention to exploit the window to investigate suspicious places before any order problems arise. The hope is that there will be fewer emergency closures and complaints from the residents about non-complying establishments, as well as a message to the market regarding non-compliance.
What happens if someone opens without the license?
Since the requirement will fall under the General Police Regulation, a failure to comply means that the operator will be subject to municipal sanctions such as closure orders and fines, in addition to the customary sanctions in the sector by FAVV or fire department in case there are any violations. The message from the municipality is that the pre-opening process is not an option but the gateway into legality.
