Applying for an operating license for a public pharmacy

If you want to open or take over a public pharmacy, you must submit a written application for an operating license.

Before you take over a public pharmacy or open a new one, you must apply for an operating license.

In the documents to be submitted, you must provide proof of your qualifications as a license holder. You must also prove that you have suitable business premises. You affirm on oath that you comply with legal requirements.

It is advisable to contact the authority responsible for you before submitting your application in order to clarify the scope of the documents required for your application.

The Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP) is responsible.

Please contact the Hessian State Office for Health and Care (HLfGP).

You can clarify more details on the type and scope of the documents with the authority responsible for you.

As the applicant, you must

• have full legal capacity.
• have a German license to practice as a pharmacist.
• have the necessary reliability to operate a pharmacy.
• make a declaration in lieu of an oath,
  • that you have not entered into any agreements that violate § 8 sentence 2, § 9 para. 1, § 10 or § 11 of the Pharmacy Act and
  • submit the purchase or lease agreement for the pharmacy and, at the request of the competent authority, other contracts relating to the establishment and operation of the pharmacy.
• prove that you have the premises required by the Pharmacy Operating Regulations.
• be medically fit to manage a pharmacy properly.
• state whether you operate one or more pharmacies at another location in a member state of the European Union or in another contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in a contracting state to which Germany and the European Union have granted a corresponding legal entitlement by treaty.

• Objection
• Appeal
• Action before the administrative court

• In Hesse, only administrative action is possible.

• You submit the application using the online form or submit your written application to the competent authority.
• The authority may request further documents.
• The operating license will be issued if the competent authority determines that the legal requirements have been met.
• In the case of a new opening, an appointment will be made for an inspection of the pharmacy before it starts operating.

Neueröffnung, Übernahme oder Pacht: Fee from 1.420,00 EUR to 4.100,00 EUR

Änderung einer Erlaubnis zum Betrieb einer oder mehrerer Apotheken: Fee from 50,00 EUR to 900,00 EUR