Licences and permits

The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.

1 of 41 licence · 1 with a named enabling instrument · 1 issued by a council

Narrow it down

Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.

What you do

All activities Advertising and marketing1 Agriculture: animals2 Agriculture: crops and plants1 Animal products: manufacturing and wholesale2 Animals, including pets and zoos1 Arts and recreation9 Beauty, hairdressing, nails and spa treatments4 Building and construction6 Charity and community4 Chemicals and petroleum2 Cleaning1 Driving and motor vehicles2 Education, including tutoring and training2 Energy, gas and electricity1 Environment: management and waste3 Environment: water1 Events9 Finance, insurance and insolvency1 Firearms, explosives and fireworks1 Fisheries1 Food and drink: wholesale, manufacturing and production1 Gambling and betting, including arcades, bingo and racing2 Healthcare1 Hospitality, restaurants, bars and catering7 Legal services1 Materials, metal and mining1 Media and broadcasting3 Property and real estate1 Retail: manufacturing and wholesale4 Social care3 Sports1 Street trading and markets4 Tattooing, piercing and electrolysis2 Telecommunications, technology and information services1 Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites7 Transport and logistics, including aviation3 Veterinary1

Where you trade

Any nation England41 Wales38 Scotland11 Northern Ireland3

Who issues it

Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.

Building and construction

1

Road occupation licence for building work (England and Wales)

You must get a licence from the council to dig up the road, or temporarily occupy it in connection with building work - fines, …

England and Wales Your council

Energy, gas and electricity

1

Road occupation licence for building work (England and Wales)

You must get a licence from the council to dig up the road, or temporarily occupy it in connection with building work - fines, …

England and Wales Your council

Checking approvals more broadly?

A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.

Run the pre-trading quick check

Not sure which of these apply to you?

Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.

Find a licence