Permits to open a commercial premises in Uruguay: the map

You're about to open a place: a corner shop, a hair salon, a café, a workshop. Getting your RUT at DGI is only the start. A premises open to the public also needs several permits (habilitaciones) — and exactly which ones depends on your activity and your department. Here's a clear, checklist-style map of the most common ones and who grants each, with official links to confirm your case.

The baseline: DGI RUT and BPS registration

Before any premises permit, you have to exist as a business. That means registering in DGI's Single Tax Registry (RUT) and registering with BPS (social security). This pair is the foundation: almost every other procedure will ask you for the RUT certificate and the BPS certificate or notice. If you haven't taken this step yet, start here.

Dirección Nacional de Bomberos permit (fire safety)

If your premises receives the public, you need the Bomberos (fire department) permit, which certifies fire prevention and protection measures (extinguishers, exits, emergency lighting, etc.). It falls under the Ministry of the Interior and you don't file it yourself: a registered technician submits it and designs the measures according to the premises' use and characteristics. The permit has a validity period and must then be renewed. The Intendencia usually asks for it before granting the commercial permit, so it's worth starting early.

Commercial permit from the Intendencia

The commercial (or municipal) permit is granted by your department's Intendencia and authorizes the premises to operate at that address for that activity. The procedure and requirements vary by department, but the logic is the same. The Intendencia de Montevideo describes it like this:

Intendencia de Montevideo procedures portal:

«Este trámite deberá ser realizado por todo establecimiento industrial, comercial o de servicio que desee iniciar actividades o estando en actividad, alguna habilitación se encuentra vencida.»

In English: This procedure must be carried out by every industrial, commercial or service establishment that wishes to start activities, or that, while operating, has a permit that has expired.

If you sell or handle food: bromatología and food-handler card

Any premises that prepares, sells or handles food adds two typical requirements: the food-safety (bromatológica) permit for the premises (from the competent food-safety office, usually the Intendencia's) and the food-handler card (carné de manipulación de alimentos) for those who touch the food. On top of that, manufacturing or importing food has its own registration. The national rule puts it this way:

Permit and registration of food, cosmetics and sanitizing-product companies (gub.uy):

«Es el trámite que deben realizar las empresas fabricantes o importadoras y/o depósitos de Alimentos, Cosméticos, Domisanitarios y otros para poder funcionar en el mercado.»

In English: This is the procedure that manufacturing or importing companies and/or warehouses of Food, Cosmetics, Sanitizing products and others must carry out in order to operate in the market.

In plain terms: a bar or restaurant needs the premises' food-safety permit and its staff to hold the food-handler card; a company that manufactures or imports food also needs the corresponding registration. Confirm the details with your Intendencia, since each department has its own procedure.

Sector-specific permits (MSP, MGAP and others)

Depending on what you do, a specific agency may also have to authorize you. Health-related activities (clinics, aesthetics, pharmacies) usually require authorization from the Ministry of Public Health (MSP). Producing food of animal or plant origin can involve the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP). There are more cases: daycares, transport, regulated activities. The rule is simple: if your activity is regulated, there's a permit from that agency on top of the commercial permit.

It all depends on the activity and the department

There's no single list that fits everyone: a kiosk doesn't need the same as a restaurant, and Montevideo doesn't require exactly the same as the interior. Before signing a lease, make a prior enquiry at your Intendencia (can that activity be permitted at that address?) and find out the Bomberos permit for the premises. That's how you avoid expensive surprises. When in doubt, always check the official sources of your department, Bomberos and gub.uy.

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Frequently asked questions

• Is the RUT enough to open? No: the RUT and BPS are the baseline, but a premises open to the public usually also needs Bomberos and the Intendencia's commercial permit.
• Do I file the Bomberos permit myself? Not directly: a registered technician submits it and designs the premises' fire-protection measures.
• What do I need if I sell food? The premises' food-safety permit and the food-handler card for staff; confirm the procedure with your Intendencia.
• Is it the same across the country? No: requirements vary by department and by activity. Check your Intendencia before committing to a location.
• How much does it cost? It depends on the department, the activity and the size of the premises; we don't invent figures. Check the amounts in official sources.
• Where do I start? With the RUT and BPS, and with a prior enquiry at the Intendencia and Bomberos before signing a lease.

In short: opening a premises is a map of permits, not a single procedure. The baseline is DGI and BPS; on top go Bomberos and the Intendencia's commercial permit; and, depending on the activity, food safety, MSP, MGAP or others. Since everything changes by activity and department, always confirm your case with the official sources before you invest.