Philippines  ·  2026 Edition

Cafe
Registration
Guide

Everything a cafe owner needs to legally open and operate a food business in the Philippines — every permit, every document, every fee.

9 Permits & Registrations
Est. Php 5,000 – Php 28,000+
Renewed Every January
CafeBuddy mascot
Step-by-Step Process
How to Register Your Cafe
Business Registration
DTI for sole proprietors  ·  SEC for corporations, partnerships, or OPC
Documents Needed
  • Valid government-issued ID
  • Proof of business address
  • For SEC: Articles of Incorporation or Partnership Agreement
  • For SEC: Valid IDs of all incorporators or partners
DTI registration is done online via the Business Name Registration System (e-BNRS). SEC is via the eSPARC portal. This is the first step — all other permits require this certificate.
Required Php 200 – Php 2,000
Barangay Clearance
Barangay Hall at your business location
Documents Needed
  • Valid government-issued ID
  • Lease contract or property title (proof of business address)
  • Accomplished application form from the barangay
Required before you can apply for the Mayor's Permit. Confirms your business location complies with local zoning rules for commercial use.
Required Php 100 – Php 1,000
Mayor's Permit (Business Permit)
City or Municipal Hall
Documents Needed
  • DTI or SEC registration certificate
  • Barangay Clearance
  • Lease contract or proof of property ownership
  • Sanitary Permit or proof of application
  • Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
  • Zoning Clearance (if required by your LGU)
  • Accomplished application form
File within 30 days of your DTI/SEC certificate to avoid penalties. Renewal deadline is January 20 each year. Late penalty is 25–50% of the permit fee.
Required Php 2,000 – Php 10,000
Sanitary Permit
City or Municipal Health Office
Documents Needed
  • DTI or SEC registration certificate
  • Barangay Clearance
  • Health certificates of all food handlers
  • Floor plan of the establishment (kitchen and restroom layout)
  • Pest control contract (required by some LGUs)
  • Water potability test result (if using a private water source)
Inspectors evaluate your water supply and sanitation, food storage, waste disposal system, kitchen and restroom cleanliness, and pest control measures. Annual renewal required.
Required Php 500 – Php 5,000
Health Certificates — All Food Handlers
City or Municipal Health Office  /  DOH-accredited clinic
Requirements Per Employee
  • Physical examination
  • Chest X-ray
  • Stool exam (fecalysis)
  • Food safety orientation seminar (required by most LGUs)
Required for every person who handles food — baristas, cooks, kitchen assistants, and dishwashers. Certificates are typically renewed annually.
Required Php 100 – Php 500 per employee
Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC)
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) — local office
Requirements
  • Physical inspection of premises by BFP officers
  • Fire exits clearly marked, unobstructed, and accessible
  • Fire extinguishers installed, tagged, and within service date
  • Smoke detectors and alarm systems installed
  • Sprinkler system (for larger establishments)
The FSIC is also a pre-requirement for your Mayor's Permit. Inspection fees vary based on the floor area and size of your establishment. Annual renewal required.
Required Php 500 – Php 5,000
BIR Registration
Bureau of Internal Revenue — local Revenue District Office (RDO)
Documents Needed
  • DTI or SEC registration certificate
  • Lease contract
  • Valid government-issued ID
  • BIR Form 1901 (sole proprietorship) or Form 1903 (corporation/partnership)
What You Receive
  • Business Tax Identification Number (TIN)
  • Authority to Print Official Receipts and Invoices (ATP)
  • BIR Certificate of Registration (Form 2303)
You must file monthly or quarterly VAT or Percentage Tax returns, quarterly and annual Income Tax Returns, and withholding tax returns if you have employees. Do not forget to register your books of accounts with BIR after registration.
Required Php 500 – Php 2,000
Employee Benefits Registration
SSS  ·  PhilHealth  ·  Pag-IBIG (HDMF)
Required Once You Hire Any Employee
  • SSS — Employee: ~4–5% of salary  |  Employer: ~8–9% of salary
  • PhilHealth — Approx. Php 200–800 per employee per month, shared equally
  • Pag-IBIG / HDMF — 2% of monthly salary (up to Php 200), matched by employer
Register as an employer with all three agencies before your employees' first payroll. Monthly contributions must be remitted on time to avoid penalties.
Required if Hiring No registration fee
FDA License to Operate (LTO)
Food and Drug Administration — FDA e-Portal (online)
Only Required If You
  • Manufacture or repack packaged food products for sale (e.g., bottled drinks, jarred sauces, packaged pastries)
  • Operate a commissary that produces and supplies food to other outlets
NOT Required For
  • Standard cafes and coffee shops that prepare and serve food and beverages directly to customers on-site
Apply through the FDA e-Portal. Processing takes 30–60 days. A simplified LTO (Php 1,000) is available for micro-enterprises under Republic Act No. 11032.
Conditional Php 1,000 – Php 20,000
Bonus Step  ·  Manage Your Cafe
Set Up Your Cafe Management System
Cafe Buddy  ·  Built for Philippine Cafes
What You Get — All Included
  • POS Terminal — VAT computation and printable receipts
  • Contactless Self-Ordering via QR — customers order from their own phone
  • Live Kitchen Display (KDS) — orders appear on kitchen screen instantly
  • Automated Inventory — real-time stock tracking with auto deductions per order
  • One-Click Reports — daily sales, net income, and CSV export
  • Staff and Security — role-based access and full audit trail
  • Works Offline — keeps running even without internet
No setup fee. No contracts. Cancel anytime. Works on mobile, tablet, and desktop from day one. Billed on the 27th of every month.
Recommended Php 89 / month
Application Flow
Correct Order of Application
DTI / SEC
Barangay Clearance
Sanitary Permit
Fire Safety Cert
Mayor's Permit
BIR Registration
SSS  ·  PhilHealth  ·  Pag-IBIG