Applying for a licence to operate a public pharmacy

Depending on the type of pharmacy you wish to run, you will need to provide different documents.

Setting up or purchasing a pharmacy

1. A brief CV in table form containing precise details of your professional activities since being granted your licence to practise.
   You must sign the CV by hand, stating the date.
2. Proof of identity, for example a certified copy of your passport or identity card
3. A current official certificate of good conduct for submission to a public authority; this must be sent directly to the Regional Council
4. A current medical certificate; this must not be more than three months old and must bear the doctor’s stamp. The certificate must state that you are not medically unfit to manage a pharmacy properly.
5. A certified photocopy of your licence to practise medicine, as well as, where applicable, proof of a change of name in the form of a certificate from the registry office
6. An affidavit to be submitted upon conclusion of the contracts:
   You hereby declare that you have not entered into any legal transactions or agreements that contravene the Pharmacy Act. You may submit the affidavit before a notary public or before the licensing authority.
7. Declarations and assurances:
   • regarding your full legal capacity and whether any criminal or professional disciplinary proceedings have been or are currently pending
   • whether you have applied for a further operating licence in the Federal Republic of Germany
   • A statement as to whether, and if so where, you operate one or more pharmacies in a Member State of the European Union, in another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or in a State party to which Germany and the European Union have contractually granted a corresponding legal entitlement
   • Exclusion of third-party ownership and multiple ownership in the Federal Republic of Germany
   • confirmation that all contracts and agreements relating to the establishment and operation of the pharmacy have been submitted in full
   • Confirmation of the completeness and accuracy of the information provided
8. Evidence that you have the necessary premises:
   • an officially certified extract from the land register or other evidence showing the ownership status of the pharmacy premises
   • Purchase or tenancy agreement
   • Site plan of the property showing the exact location and parcel number
   • A scale plan of the business premises, stating the areas in square metres, their intended use and fittings; if possible, a layout plan on a scale of 1:50, in duplicate.
   • A list of the floor areas of the business premises; these must total at least 110 square metres
   • A statement confirming whether the dispensary is accessible to people with disabilities
   • For existing pharmacies: the aforementioned supporting documents, with the exception of the purchase or tenancy agreement, should there have been any changes to the documents already on file
9. The competent authority may request further documents, for example:
   • The original or a certified photocopy of the purchase agreement for the pharmacy
   • Certified photocopy of proof of a change of name
   • A waiver by the previous owner of the operating licence granted to them, together with the return of the licence certificate to the competent authority
   • A partnership agreement (GbR or OHG)
   • A waiver by the applicant of any operating licence already granted to them, together with the return of the previous licence certificate to the competent authority
   • Proof of financing, such as loan agreements, including agreements relating to security provided, and proof of equity capital

Lease of a pharmacy

• the documents required for the establishment or purchase of a pharmacy, with the exception of Section 8, points 1 to 3
• Lease agreement
• if the pharmacy was already leased: a waiver from the previous lessee regarding the operating licence granted
• In cases of inheritance: proof of inheritance as evidence of the right to let

Management of a pharmacy

• the documents required for the establishment or purchase of a pharmacy, excluding sections 6 and 8, points 1 to 6
• Proof of inheritance
• Management contract

Branch pharmacies,

Please check with the relevant regional council to find out which documents you require. The relevant application forms and information are published on the regional councils’ websites.

For each branch pharmacy, the operator must designate, in writing, one or two pharmacists as the responsible persons. The designated responsible person must fulfil the obligations applicable to pharmacy managers under the Pharmacy Act and the Pharmacy Operating Regulations. For each designated responsible person, up-to-date certified copies of their licences to practise, and, where applicable, proof of any change of name in the form of a civil registry certificate, as well as certified copies or original copies of their employment contracts, must be submitted. The main pharmacy must be explicitly named.