Business and tax

Which activities need a licence or a permit?

Huquqchi legal team

Legislation lists the activities that need a licence or a permit. An activity that is not on the list needs no permit. You can appeal a refusal to the higher body or straight to the court. Activity without a licence brings administrative, and in some cases criminal, liability, for example a fine of 15 to 20 BHM for citizens.

The basic principle

Freedom of business activity is guaranteed: business entities have the right to carry out any activity that legislation does not prohibit. Under article 14 of the Law, legislative acts set out which activities need a licence.

Filing the application

You file the application with the authorised body. Except in the cases the law provides, the Cabinet of Ministers sets the licensing procedure.

A refusal

Under article 50 of the Law, you can appeal a refusal, at your own choice, to the higher body or straight to the court. In the administrative court, the body proves that its decision is lawful.

Liability

Activity without a licence or a permit brings administrative, and in some cases criminal, liability. Under article 165 of the Code on Administrative Liability, activity without a licence brings a fine of 15 to 20 BHM (base calculation amounts) on citizens, and of 20 to 25 BHM on officials. If the activity brought income on a particularly large scale, article 190 of the Criminal Code applies.

Legal sources

Legal basisLaw on guarantees of freedom of business activity, article 14 Legal basisLaw on guarantees of freedom of business activity, article 50 Legal basisCode on Administrative Liability, article 165

This article gives legal information, not legal advice. For your own situation, consult a qualified lawyer.