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Alcohol license - production, import or wholesale of alcohol

There are several alcohol licences:

  • License to product alcohol

  • License to import alcohol

  • License to wholesale alcohol

  • License to sell alcohol at production location

Conditions

To obtain a alcohol license, the person in question must be licensed to a duty-free shop or to engage in commercial activities for one of the following purposes.

  • Import and/or wholesale.

  • Production of alcoholic beverages.

  • Commercial catering operations and licensed to supply alcohol pursuant to laws no. 85/2007.

Applicants must also:

  • Have notified the Directorate of Internal Revenue of their business activities and been entered on the Register of Companies.

  • Have notified the Directorate of Internal Revenue of the activities according to the Value Added Tax Act.

Age requirements

  • If the applicant is an individual, he/she must be 20 years old

  • If the applicant is a company with unlimited liability, the owners and managing director of the company must be 20 years old.

  • If the applicant is a limited liability company, all the directors and managing director of the company must be 20 years old.

Duration of validity

An alcohol licence issued to an applicant for the first time shall be valid for one year.

When the licence is renewed, its validity is indefinite.

Application process

Licences issued are restricted to the name and ID number of the licensee. A new licence must be applied for if:

  • a new party takes over the operation

  • the operation is moved to another premises

If the operation is to be transferred to another district, a new licence must be applied for in that district.

Attachment data

  • Certificate of commercial register (if the applicant is a legal person)

  • Certified VAT number

  • Copy of the licence to operate by the Healthcare Committee

Rules and punishments

If the licensee neglects his obligations or fails to meet the conditions that apply to his operations, the District Commissioner shall give him a written reminder.

The reminder is valid for two years and if the licensee is found guilty of further negligence while the reminder is valid, he/she will be deprived of the licence for a certain period.

Violations of the Alcohol Act and regulations are punishable by fines or imprisonment for up to six years.

The operations of licensees shall be monitored by the regional police commissioners, together with the Directorate of Internal Revenue and the Directorate of Customs.

District Commissioners

Greater Reykjavík

Mon to Thu 8:30 - 15
Fri. 8:30 - 14

West Iceland

Mon. to Thu. 10 - 15
Fri. 9 - 14

West Fjords Iceland

Mon. to Thu. 9 - 14
Fri. 9 - 13:30

North West Iceland

Mon. to Fri. 9 - 15

North East Iceland

Mon. to Thu. 9 - 15
Fri. 9 - 14

East Iceland

Mon. to Thu. 9 - 15
Fri. 9 - 14

South Iceland

Mon. to Fri. 9 - 15

Westman Islands

Mon. to Thu. 9:15 - 15
Fri. 9:15 - 14

Sudurnes

Mon. to Fri. 8:30 - 15