Opening a Cat Café or Themed Café: Hygiene Regulations in Germany

  • Commercial animal keeping generally requires a permit from the veterinary office under § 11 of the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz).
  • Under EU food hygiene regulations, animals must not enter areas where food is prepared or stored.
  • Closed cups with secure lids and packaged pastries reduce hygiene risks in seating areas.

Cat cafés combine hospitality with animal keeping – and are therefore subject to two regulatory frameworks simultaneously. This overview covers the essential requirements in Germany. It does not constitute legal advice; specific requirements are determined on an individual basis by local authorities.

1. Permits and Registrations

  • Business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) with the local trade office (Gewerbeamt)
  • Registration as a food business operator with the food inspection authority (Lebensmittelüberwachung)
  • Permit under § 11 of the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz) from the veterinary office (Veterinäramt, including proof of expertise)
  • Restaurant licence (Gaststättenerlaubnis) only required if serving alcohol – depending on the federal state

2. Spatial Separation and Food Hygiene

Under EU Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, domestic animals must be excluded from areas where food is prepared, handled, or stored. In practice, this requires kitchens and service counters to be structurally partitioned from the cat area, typically using an airlock or double-door system. Litter trays, feeding stations, and cleaning schedules must be formally documented.

3. Packaging in Guest Areas

In areas shared with animals, cups with well-fitting lids and individually wrapped pastries help keep hair and contaminants away from food and drinks. Many themed cafés use custom-printed cups and paper bags for this purpose – providing an eye-catching photo opportunity for social media.

  • Cups with tight-fitting lids, even for eat-in consumption
  • Paper bags or food boxes for cakes and snacks
  • Napkins kept within easy reach, but stored in protective dispensers

4. Standard Café Obligations

Themed cafés selling takeaway items must also be registered in the LUCID packaging register and – unless an exemption applies – offer a reusable alternative. Find out more in our article on the Packaging Act (VerpackG).

View product range – Cups, lids, and bags with your logo – from 500 units.