Sex business license

Do you want to start or take over a sex business? Apply for a permit from the municipality.

Download application form (pdf)

Approach

This is how you apply for a sex business license:

  • You contact the municipality.
  • You pass on:
    • The details of the owner and any manager:
      • the personal data
      • a copy of the identification document
      • the residence permit
    • the address of the sex establishment
    • the phone number used in advertisements
    • A Statement of Payment History Compliance with Tax Obligations from the Internal Revenue Service
    • A lease or purchase agreement of the location of the sex business
    • possibly a situation sketch and a site plan
    • a business plan

Has your sex business been denied a license in the past 5 years? Or has a license for your sex business been revoked? If so, please indicate this in your application.

Arrange the Statement of Payment History fulfillment of tax obligations from the Internal Revenue Service with the IRS. 

Cost

Rates 2024

  • €1609.70 prostitution businesses
  • € 1425.00 home prostitution, sex theaters and escort businesses
  • €413.90 in case of change of license and matters managers and establishment 

A business owner or organization must report the Chamber of Commerce number when applying. Without that number, you pay the fees yourself.

Description

If you want to start or take over a sex business, you need a license. For example, a sex business is a:

  • sex cinema
  • brothel
  • escort company
  • couples club

If anything changes in your sex business, report it to the municipality. Like a new manager. Or if you stop operating your business.

Is someone else taking over your business? The new owner must apply to the municipality for a permit himself. He may not take over your permit.

Your permit states how long it is valid. Does the permit expire? Apply to the municipality for an extension. Do this 12 weeks before the expiration date.

Requirements

The Requirements for starting or taking over a sex business include:

  • The owner and any manager are 21 years of age or older.
  • The prostitutes working in the sex business are 21 years of age or older.
  • The sex business fits into the municipal environmental plan or management ordinance.
  • The sex business meets the requirements in terms of furnishing, fire safety and business operations (including hygiene).

The municipality can conduct a Bibob investigation. With this, the municipality checks the reliability of you and your company.

Keep in mind that the Municipality of Heerlen permits a maximum number of establishments.

Term

The municipality decides within 12 weeks of receiving your application. The municipality may extend this period once for a maximum of 12 weeks.

Objection and appeal

You can object to the decision on your application. Do this within 6 weeks. Do you then disagree with the decision on the objection? Then file an appeal with the court.

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