FSSAI Registration for Hotels and Restaurants in 2026

Primary-source researchOfficial FSSAI, FoSCoS and legal materials were checked.

2026 correctionsOutdated thresholds and portal claims were removed.

Reader safetyCategory- and fact-specific limits are clearly identified.

Direct answer

Hotels and restaurants must obtain FSSAI registration or a licence before carrying on the food business. Under the FoSCoS chart updated 1 April 2026, restaurants generally use Registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, State licence above ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore and Central licence above ₹50 crore. Hotels are also classified by Ministry of Tourism star category: five-star and above require Central licensing, while up to four-star generally falls under State licensing, subject to the chart and turnover rule.

Who must apply

An FBO preparing, serving, storing or selling food—including a restaurant, hotel kitchen, takeaway or delivery-only outlet—must be covered by the correct FSSAI registration/licence for its premises and activities. Alcohol, municipal, fire and other local approvals are separate.

Restaurant eligibility

For new turnover-based applications from 1 April 2026, the official chart states Registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State licence above ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore and Central licence above ₹50 crore. Do not use the old ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore bands for a new 2026 application.

Hotel eligibility

Five-star-and-above hotels require a Central licence. Hotels up to four-star are shown under State licence, while low-turnover registration treatment is also shown in the revised chart. Confirm the Ministry of Tourism star status, turnover and all food activities in FoSCoS.

Government fees

The revised chart generally shows ₹100 per year for Registration, ₹5,000 per year for State licence in hotel/restaurant categories and ₹7,500 per year for Central licence. Validity can generally be one to five years. Check the live official fee assessment.

Application steps

Open FoSCoS; select State and premises; choose Hotel or Restaurant and any additional Kind of Business; run eligibility; complete the application; upload required documents; pay; respond to scrutiny or inspection; and download the certificate after grant. Do not follow instructions written for the superseded legacy licensing portal.

Documents

Expect identity/authority, premises proof, constitution records and the prescribed application/declaration. Depending on the case, FoSCoS may ask for layout, food categories, FSMS plan, water test, equipment or State-specific documents. Use the generated checklist rather than a fixed blog list.

Kitchen hygiene

Apply Schedule 4 and catering controls: safe water, flow separating raw and cooked operations, temperature control, cleaning/sanitation, pest control, waste management, personal hygiene, supplier approval, traceability and allergen management. Maintain trained supervision.

Display the FSSAI licence/registration or Food Safety Display Board as prescribed. Covered food-service establishments must provide menu calorie, allergen and veg/non-veg information under the Labelling and Display Regulations, subject to the regulation's scope and exemptions.

Multiple outlets and delivery

Each premises must be assessed for the correct coverage. A head-office licence does not automatically replace every unit's licence. Cloud kitchens, catering, central kitchens, warehouses and e-commerce activities may require additional Kind of Business or licensing.

Opening checklist

Classify every activity; confirm turnover/star category; secure premises and local approvals; design hygienic flow; obtain water and supplier evidence; train staff; complete FoSCoS; display the certificate; verify menus and delivery packaging; and schedule renewal/audits.

Frequently asked questions

What turnover limit applies to restaurants in 2026?

For new applications from 1 April 2026, the official chart uses ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore bands for turnover-based classification.

Does every hotel above ₹50 crore use only the hotel star rule?

Both the official category criteria and facts must be checked in FoSCoS; five-star and above is expressly Central.

Can one licence cover all restaurant branches?

Do not assume so. Premise-level licensing and head-office rules must be applied to the actual structure.

Is a water test always uploaded?

It is commonly relevant where water is used in food operations, but the live FoSCoS and State checklist controls the application documents.

Official sources and legal references

These are primary starting points used for the legal verification completed on 23 July 2026. Gazette notifications prevail over convenient compilations if they conflict.

Editorial review record

Review level	Reviewer	Status	Date
Editorial research	TargoLegal Research and Editorial Desk	Completed	23 July 2026
Independent legal/FSSAI professional	Qualified reviewer to be assigned	Professional review pending	—

Editorial and legal note. This article provides general educational information, not a legal opinion or guaranteed filing outcome. FSSAI rules, Gazette amendments, category thresholds, fees, State requirements and FoSCoS workflows can change. Verify the operative instruments and obtain advice for your products, premises and facts. Corrections: editorial@targolegal.com.