??What kind of permissions and licenses do I need for a food truck?

Some areas are stricter than others, for example, there are places where there is a limit on the number of food trailers that can sell and there is a national register.

In other cities, this trend is starting, so food truck permissions in Spain are no more than those required for any other food business. Below, we explain in more detail what licenses and permissions you need to start your food truck.

Health Regulations

The REGULATION 2004/852/CE is the one that regulates everything related to the hygiene of foodstuffs in the European Community. In chapters 3 to 12 of Annex II, everything related to fast food trailers is mentioned. Each Autonomous Community has its own system for granting the sanitary authorisation to operate each food truck. It is important that you check with the Department of Health and Consumer Affairs.

Urban Regulations

The Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, which regulates the practice of truck food or non-sedentary fast food sales, states that it is up to the local councils to determine the area of location, etc. It is important that you consult your local council for the ordinance regulating the practice of street vending.

Tax regulations

*Like any company, you have to make:

• 1. Quarterly VAT declarations.
• 2. Register with the corresponding Trade Income Tax (IAE, now form 036) (For Food Trucks the 663.1 -Retail trade, outside a commercial establishment-, although there are some Food Trucks, registered in the 674.1 - Special catering services, mechanical traction vehicles...- and in the 982.4 -Tombolas, shows, ...catering services...-).
• 3. Pay the corresponding Personal Income Tax (IRPF), we recommend you follow the instructions of your advisor.

Transport Regulations

• 1. If your trailer, adapted as a food truck, weighs less than 3,500 kg, you can drive it with a car licence (you must be careful not to exceed this weight when installing machinery). If you have a vehicle weighing more than 3,500 kg you need a truck licence.
• 2. Compulsory transport card, for food trucks caravans over 3,500 kg.
• 3. Regulation of historic vehicles. The permitted conversion of historic vehicles is minimal and their use for commercial activity is a very sensitive issue. Our advice is that you should not take any steps without first making sure that you will be able to operate a food trailer of this type without legal problems.
• 4. You can bring in vehicles from abroad, as long as they are fully documented.
• 5. In order to homologate a food truck, the work must be carried out by authorised transformation workshops, which will carry out technical projects in order to be able to modify weights, structures, lights, add machinery, panels, etc.
• 6. MOT card (ITV), up to 10 years of age of the vehicle, annual revisions. From the tenth year, every 6 months.

Food Truck Passion Recommendations

• 1. Consult the local ordinance of your local council regarding the sale of fast food for your food truck.
• 2. Check with the Department of Health and Consumer Affairs of your Autonomous Community about the requirements for obtaining health authorisation.
• 3. Consult a consultancy firm on the best way to comply with the legal obligations implicit in any business.
• 4. Put yourself in the hands of authorised conversion workshops to adapt the vehicle, such as Food Truck Passion, and let us advise you.

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