What is an activity license?
It is the set of technical and administrative procedures that enable a premises to carry out an economic activity in compliance with safety, accessibility, fire protection and environmental regulations.
In the Balearic Islands, the regime for the installation and exercise of activities is governed by Law 7/2013, of 26 November, and its subsequent amendments. This regulation classifies activities and defines the procedure each one requires.
Types of permanent activity
Activities with a stable location are classified into three types according to their level of risk and impact, defined in Annex I of the law. The procedure you will need depends on that classification:
| Type | How it is processed | Technical documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Installation permit: the Town Hall authorises before starting (prior control) | Full technical project |
| Minor | Responsible declaration: the activity starts upon submission | Project or technical documentation |
| Harmless | Responsible declaration: the activity starts upon submission | Basic technical documentation |
Major activity
These are the ones with the highest risk or impact (Title I of Annex I). They require an installation permit: the Town Hall must authorise the project before starting the works or the activity. It is the most complete procedure and the one that requires the most technical documentation.
Minor activity
These are the ones not classified as major or harmless. They start with a responsible declaration accompanied by the project or technical documentation, without waiting for prior authorisation: the Administration's control is subsequent.
Harmless activity
These are the ones that do not pose significant risks (Title III of Annex I). They are processed with a responsible declaration with minimal documentation and are exempt from periodic reviews.
Not sure which category your business falls into?
The classification depends on the parameters of Annex I (type of activity, capacity, surface area, power, etc.). We review your case and confirm which procedure you need and the documentation it entails.
Which regulations and requirements must you meet?
To obtain the license, the premises must comply with the technical and sector-specific regulations applicable to its activity. The most common requirements are:
- Urban-planning compatibility: that the use is permitted at the location under the municipal planning.
- Fire safety: compartmentation, evacuation routes and protection systems, under the CTE DB-SI or the RSCIEI.
- Accessibility: access and use for people with reduced mobility, in accordance with the CTE DB-SUA and regional regulations.
- Installations: electrical (REBT), heating and ventilation (RITE) and, where present, gas and telecommunications (ICT).
- Health and ventilation: hygiene conditions and renewal of indoor air (CTE DB-HS).
- Acoustic protection: insulation against noise and vibration, respecting the maximum levels permitted towards neighbouring dwellings and premises.
- Environment: management of waste, discharges and emissions when the activity requires it.
- Health authority: specific requirements for food, hospitality or healthcare activities.
Periodic review of the activity
Obtaining the license is not the end of the road: Law 7/2013 requires permanent activities to undergo a periodic technical review every 10 years, to verify that the installations still meet the safety, health and environmental conditions under which they were authorised.
It is carried out by a competent technician, either independently or as part of an authorised collaborating entity (ECAC), who reviews the establishment and its installations and issues the corresponding assessment. If the result is unfavourable, the deficiencies found must be rectified; otherwise, the license may lapse and force the activity to close.
Who does it apply to and by when?
| Type of activity | Mandatory? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Yes | Before 31 December 2024 |
| Minor | Yes | Before 31 December 2026 |
| Harmless | Exempt | — |
After the first review, it is repeated every 10 years. For new activities, the period counts from their start-up.
What is checked?
The review verifies that the installations are kept in good condition and up to date with their mandatory inspections:
- Condition of the installations: electrical, fire protection (active and passive), fuels and others that may be hazardous or a nuisance.
- Sector inspections up to date: that the mandatory inspections (low voltage, fire protection, thermal installations, pressure equipment, lifts or legionella) are current.
- Description of the current condition: a report on the installations documented with photographs and plans or sketches of the establishment.
Does your activity need the periodic review?
If your business has been open for years, it most likely already applies to you. We review your case, confirm your deadline and handle the entire review, from the inspection to its processing with the Town Hall.
Other modalities
In addition to permanent activities, the law regulates other modalities with their own regime:
- Non-permanent activities: those carried out occasionally (events, fairs, temporary shows).
- Itinerant activities: installations that move from one location to another (rides, circuses), subject to registration in the regional registry.
- Common infrastructure: shared-service installations (for example, those in common areas of buildings or groupings), with their own processing regime.
What do we do?
We manage the entire file, from the initial consultation to the opening, so you only worry about your business:
- Feasibility study and classification of the activity under Law 7/2013.
- Drafting of the technical project or the corresponding documentation.
- Final works certificate and technical management when necessary.
- Processing and legalisation with the Town Hall and the relevant authorities.
- Periodic technical reviews of the activity, including inspection and processing of the assessment.