Applying to operate a pharmacy

The documents you are required to submit vary depending on the form in which you wish to operate the pharmacy.

Opening a new pharmacy or purchasing an existing one

1. short curriculum vitae (in table form) describing your work since receiving your licence. You must sign this document by hand.

2. evidence of citizenship (e.g. a certified copy of your passport, personal ID or certificate of nationality)

3. current certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis) for presentation to an authority, document type “0” (to be sent directly to the administrative headquarters (Regierungspräsidium))

4. current medical certificate stating that your health does not prevent you from running a pharmacy in an orderly manner

5. certified copy of your licence document

6. an affidavit that must be submitted after the agreements have been concluded, giving the assurance that you have not entered into any legal transactions or agreements that violate the terms of the Pharmacy Act. You can make the affidavit in the presence of the licensing authority or a notary public.

7. Declarations and assurances concerning

1. whether criminal or work-related proceedings are or were pending
2. whether you have applied for another operating licence in the Federal Republic of Germany
3. must provide notification as to whether and, if at which location you operate one or more pharmacies in a Member State of the European Union or another member country of the European Economic Area or in a state to which Germany and the European Union have granted a corresponding legal claim by means of a treaty.
4. the exclusion of non-pharmacist and multiple ownership in the Federal Republic of Germany

7. Evidence that you have the necessary premises:

1. officially certified excerpt from the land register or other evidence confirming ownership of the land on which the pharmacy is located
2. purchase or tenancy agreement
3. site plan of the land with precise information as to the location (plot)
4. true-to-scale plan of the work areas (size and division)
5. statement listing the size of the work areas (at least 110 square metres)
6. for existing pharmacies: the evidence listed, except for the purchase or tenancy agreement, if there have been any changes to the documents already submitted

8. The competent authority may request additional documents, e.g.

1. original or certified photocopy of the pharmacy purchase agreement
2. certified photocopies of any evidence testifying to name changes
3. the previous owner’s relinquishment of the operating licence issued to him
4. GbR or OHG agreement
5. relinquishment of an operating licence already issued to the applicant

Leasing a pharmacy

• Number 8 Points 1 to 5
• leasing agreement
• if the pharmacy was already under a lease: declaration that the previous lessee has relinquished his/her operating licence
• if the pharmacy was inherited: certificate of inheritance proving that the pharmacist is entitled to the lease

Managing a pharmacy

• Numbers 6 and 8 Points 1 to 5
• inheritance certificate
• administrative agreement

Branch pharmacies, mail order pharmacies

Please request further information from the competent authority.