Wirtschafts-Service-Portal.NRW

Commercial permits

In certain industries, a special permit is required in addition to the business registration. The purpose of this is to determine special qualifications and personal as well as spatial aptitudes.

Apply for the permit under § 34, § 33 or § 30 GewO easily and conveniently online – without an appointment, without the way to the office and without waiting time. With our online application, you can quickly and efficiently apply for commercial permission and receive immediately a confirmation of receipt.

Real estate and construction

Real estate agents, property developers, property managers and residential property managers require a permit to carry out this activity in accordance with § 34c GewO.

Apply for permission for real estate agents and developers according to § 34c GewO now online

Security industry

You would like to start a security company or work as a security service provider in North Rhine-Westphalia? For this you need a permit according to § 34a GewO.

healthcare

If you want to open a private hospital, private maternity hospital or private nerve clinic, then you need a commercial license, a so-called concession.

Deposit services

A licence from the competent authority is required to act as a pawnbroker or pawnbroker and as a pawnbroker or pawnbroker in accordance with § 34 GewO.

Event and entertainment industry

For the commercial execution of events for the display of persons, such as striptease or table dance, a permit according to § 33a GewO is mandatory in North Rhine-Westphalia. This also applies if you only make your business premises available as a venue – even if you do not organise the event yourself.

Trade and auctions

If you would like to auction off third-party movable property, land or rights on a commercial basis, you need a permit in North Rhine-Westphalia in accordance with § 34b GewO of the competent authority. The permission may (also subsequently) be subject to conditions insofar as this is necessary for the protection of the general public, the contracting authorities or the tenderers.

FAQs: Commercial permits in North Rhine-Westphalia

Help and frequently asked questions about commercial permits

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a special permit is required for certain industries in addition to the business registration. This serves to check personal suitability, qualifications or spatial conditions. Without this authorisation, the activity may not be carried out.

Exercising a licensed business without a permit is illegal and can lead to fines, the closure of your business or even criminal consequences. Apply for permission before starting your activity.

In order to obtain a permit according to § 34c GewO from the competent authority for you, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Reliability (e.g. through a police record)
  • Expertise (e.g. through professional experience or examination)
  • Financial capacity (e.g. through bank information)
  • Professional liability insurance

Yes, you can apply for permission according to § 34c GewO in NRW, even if your company is not based in North Rhine-Westphalia. However, you must carry out the activity in NRW or maintain business premises here.

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About the portal

The WSP.NRW is the central platform in NRW to digitally and easily handle over 80 online services for traders, liberal professions, cross-border services and the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.

For companies
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© 2026 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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