1- Permits for Food Trucks – Type Approval
Homologation:
The food truck (trailer or van) must be approved as an Ambulant Store. The 4051 homologation is for trailers of less than 750Kg. and 4151 for vehicles over 1,500Kg. This approval by the Ministry of Industry is valid for the whole of Europe and must be reflected in the technical data sheet. It certifies that the construction of the vehicle complies with all administrative and technical regulations established in Europe as set forth in RD 750/2010 for this type of vehicle.
When buying a new food truck you must demand this approval from the seller.f it is second hand and is not homologated, you will have to hire an engineering company that will charge around 1.000€ to do it. If the vehicle was manufactured before 1986, it will not be possible to homologate it.
Registration certificate:
This document certifies that the vehicle can circulate and be used for sales activities. It is provided by the manufacturer. If you buy a second-hand food truck it is very important to request this document and that it is in order. Without it you will have to hire a crane to move your food truck, which makes every job at a location other than your base more expensive.
Technical specifications:
It contains the vehicle’s characteristics, chassis number, homologation and manufacturer’s data. If it is required to pass ITV, it will be stamped on this document.
Insurance:
It is advisable to have liability insurance to cover the risks of the activity due to the presence of electrical elements, fires, workers, food… For some events, it is essential to have insurance of this type to cover employees, customer mishaps or possible food poisoning.
The insurance is not necessary to circulate, the insurance of the car is enough as long as the weight of the empty trailer does not exceed 750Kg. All LACOMMA Food truck models, being trailers weighing less than 750Kg. they do not need a special driving license, nor their own license plate (only a duplicate of the vehicle’s license plate), nor an ITV (technical inspection of the vehicle), nor their own insurance, the car’s insurance is sufficient.
The company LACOMMA after working with vans and caravans decided to focus on this type of vehicle that requires less investment and facilitates the entry into the food truck business, although if you are interested we also manufacture trailers of 1.500Kg.
Light bulletin:
This is a technical report on the design of the electrical installation. It is a document that certifies the expected power, the type of vehicle, the diagram of the installation and the registration number of the installation. It must be sealed by an authorized electrical company or installer.
Gas bulletin:
It is only necessary when using butane or propane gas appliances. The installation must be carried out and certified by an authorized technician, ensuring that the installation complies with all safety measures.
Sanitary certificate:
It certifies that the trailer complies with the requirements of the sanitary and hygiene regulations of the European Regulation (EU) No. 852/2004 of the European Parliament on the hygiene of foodstuffs. In addition, like all catering establishments, we are obliged to inform about allergens and have traceability data of the products on sale in the food truck.
Hemos tenido clientes a los que el ayuntamiento les denegó el permiso de vía pública por no presentar el certificado sanitario actualizado, así que te recomendamos llevarlo siempre digitalizado en el móvil.
2-Trámites del Personal: ¿Qué necesita el trabajador de un Food Truck?
-Being registered under the correct IAE is not just a administrative formality for the company; it fully defines the obligations, agreements and training that will be required of the crew members on board.
Depending on the employee’s role and the category selected, here is what each employee needs:
– Under Group 675 (Mobile catering services): If the worker is going to cook or prepare food (burgers, crêpes, coffee), they are considered catering staff.
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Compulsory: High-risk food handler certificate (up-to-date and specific to the hospitality sector). Each person working in the food truck must have this card that certifies that the person has received a course on food safety and knows how to cook, treat and preserve food to avoid food poisoning. It is mandatory for anyone working directly or indirectly with food. You can get online or in person.
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Collective agreement: Employees must be covered by the collective agreement for the hospitality sector in the province where the company operates.
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– Under Heading 663.1 (Street trading): If the worker only sells pre-packaged or prepared products (not cooked on the premises).
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Compulsory: Food handler certificate (basic/retail).
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Street Trading Licence: In many autonomous communities and local authorities, staff working in direct contact with the public on the lorry are required to carry a physical licence or accreditation as an authorised street trader issued by the local council.
3- Permits, Locations and Points of Sale
Where can I work with a food truck food truck? Esta es la parte que más dudas genera en España. Vas a necesitar un permiso de la autoridades pero varía según el tipo de lugar:
Public roads:
In Spain, food truck activity is considered as street vending and it is the municipalities that grant the administrative permit or concession to set up on the street. Municipalities have the final say in granting or denying a street permit. This type of permit is usually obtained if the food sold is typical of the place, for churrerías or for popular events and festivals. You can consult the law that regulates street vending in this link to BOE.
Beaches:
It is not impossible to get permission for food trucks on a promenade or beach, but it is not easy. The decision may depend on the Costas (Ministry of Environment) if there are no other catering businesses nearby to which we are in direct competition.
Events or festivals:
It is the organizer of the event who applies for the permits to the city council and then manages it with the food trucks. The fee paid covers the management of permits, advertising and organization.
Private area:
It is another option to install your food truck on land, parking lots, terraces, shopping malls or private events such as weddings and farms. Here imagination is basic to obtain a competitive advantage.
Is it legal to sell on the street? The Food Truck Legal Traffic Light
It is not enough to have an approved trailer. For your business to be 100% legal and avoid fines, you need to comply with all three levels of permits.
At Lacomma we deliver the vehicle ready to work, but we want you to know all the way.
🟢 1. Vehicle (Lacomma)
Condition: GUARANTEED. Our trailers comply with all European technical standards.
- Street trading licence (Category 4051).
- Datasheet (Light trailers < 750kg without ITV).
- Electrical bulletins and sanitary certificates.
🟡 2. Activity (You)
Status: TRANSACTIONS. These are the permits that qualify you as a hospitality business.
- Registration in IAE (Economic Activities Tax).
- Sanitary registration and handler training.
- Professional Liability Insurance.
🔴 3. Location (City Hall)
Status: KEY. Permission to sell in a specific geographic location.
- Private venues and events (No problems).
- Fairs, flea markets and festivals (Concession).
- Public roads (Subject to municipal ordinance).
4. Sustainability: Packaging Act
The new European Regulation (PPWR) requires a change in the way takeaway food is served. If you fail to comply, you risk fines and being shut down at festivals
The three mandatory changes are:
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No plastic sachets or tubs: Say goodbye to traditional single-serve sachets of sauces, sugar or oil. You must use standard dispensers or 100% compostable single-serve packs.
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100% recyclable packaging: All your packaging (cups, plates, boxes) must be accompanied by a certificate from the supplier guaranteeing its recyclability. Without this, you will not be granted a sales licence.
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Accepting customers’ own containers: It is compulsory to allow customers to bring their own clean containers (thermos flasks, lunch boxes) and to refill them.
A certified food truck is the first step to be able to work legally and avoid problems from the beginning.
Remember that you can also test your business model by hiring a food truck.
Do you want to undertake safely?
Our models are designed to simplify all this bureaucracy.
Frequently Asked Questions (Quick Answers):
Can I sell goods freely on the street in Spain? Not without prior authorisation.
Street vending is prohibited. You need a specific municipal permit for a particular location or to take part in organised events (fairs, festivals, weddings or markets).
What compulsory insurance do I need to get started?
The only essential requirement for opening a business is public liability insurance for the hospitality sector (which covers food poisoning and accidents). As regards road use, if your trailer weighs less than 750 kg, you simply need to include it under the insurance policy for your towing vehicle.
What is the legal difference between a motorised food truck and a trailer?
The main advantage of light trailers (<750 kg) is the cost saving: they do not undergo an MOT, are not subject to road tax, and do not require their own number plate or separate insurance. Motorised vans, on the other hand, must meet all these costs and administrative requirements independently.
Under which IAE category should I register?
Group 675 (Kiosk and mobile food services) applies if you are going to cook and prepare food on board (burgers, crêpes, etc.). If you only sell pre-packaged, uncooked products, you fall under Category 663.1.
Is the food handler’s certificate still compulsory?
The official licence no longer exists. You now need an up-to-date training certificate issued by a training organisation. The company is responsible for demonstrating to the inspector that all on-board staff are properly trained.
What does the new Packaging Act (PPWR) mean in day-to-day practice?
It requires you to stop using single-serving plastic sachets (for sauces, sugar), to use packaging that is certified as 100% recyclable, and to ensure that customers bring their own clean containers to take their food away.
What sort of driving licence do I need to tow a food truck?
If you opt for a light trailer weighing less than 750 kg (such as the LACOMMA models), a standard Category B driving licence is sufficient, provided that the combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of the car and the trailer does not exceed 3,500 kg.
Do I need to have the vehicle undergo a health inspection before opening?
No prior inspection is required to purchase or transport it. All you need to do is submit a Declaration of Commencement of Activity to the Health Authority (in your autonomous community). Once you’ve done that, you can start working, and inspections are carried out at random directly at the events.
Do the trailers come with the kitchen equipment already fitted?
The trailers are supplied with basic, type-approved fittings (lighting, water, worktops). The industrial kitchen equipment (griddles, fryers, extractor hoods) is fully customised to suit the menu you intend to offer (burger bar, café, pizzeria) to make the most of the available space.
