How much does an FSSAI licence cost for a restaurant? (2026)
The FSSAI government fee depends on tier: Basic registration is ₹100 per year, a State licence is ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year depending on category, and a Central licence is ₹7,500 per year. You pay for your chosen validity (1–5 years) up front; professional or consultant charges, if any, are separate.
What is the government fee for each FSSAI tier?
The FSSAI fee is fixed by tier, not by cuisine or city. Basic registration (turnover under ₹12 lakh) costs ₹100 per year. A State licence (₹12 lakh–₹20 crore turnover) costs ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year depending on the category of business. A Central licence (over ₹20 crore, or multi-state operations) costs ₹7,500 per year.
You pay for the full validity you choose at the outset — so a 5-year State licence at ₹2,000/year is ₹10,000 paid up front. The per-year rate does not change with the number of years.
What decides which fee applies to my restaurant?
Your annual turnover and geographic footprint decide the tier, and the tier decides the fee. A single small outlet usually pays the Basic ₹100 or the lower State band; a larger independent restaurant pays the State fee; a chain operating across states pays the Central ₹7,500 for its head office plus a State licence per outlet.
Because licences are per premises, a five-outlet brand pays five separate fees, each on its own renewal date.
What extra costs come on top of the government fee?
The FSSAI fee itself is small; the real costs are usually time and, if you use one, a consultant's professional charge for filing and follow-up. There may also be incidental costs — a water or food test report, or documentation for a change of premises or menu.
There is no separate 'renewal fee' beyond the same per-year rate, but a late renewal adds a penalty of ₹100 per day, which can quickly exceed the licence fee itself.
How can I keep FSSAI costs predictable across outlets?
Choose a longer validity where you are confident about the premises, so you renew less often, and track every outlet's expiry centrally to avoid the ₹100/day late penalty. The penalty, not the fee, is where FSSAI costs spiral for multi-outlet brands.
EatSafe Legal records each outlet's licence, tier and expiry, and alerts you well before renewal so you never pay a late penalty.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate FSSAI renewal fee?
No. Renewal is charged at the same per-year rate as a fresh licence for the validity you choose. The only extra is a ₹100/day penalty if you renew after expiry.
Do I pay the FSSAI fee every year?
You pay up front for the validity you pick (1–5 years). So a 3-year licence is paid once for three years, not billed annually.
Why is my FSSAI cost higher than ₹100?
₹100 is only the Basic tier for turnover under ₹12 lakh. Most restaurants fall in the State tier (₹2,000–₹5,000/year) or, for large/multi-state operators, the Central tier (₹7,500/year).
Does each outlet pay its own FSSAI fee?
Yes. Licences are premises-specific, so every outlet pays its own fee on its own renewal cycle.
Is the FSSAI fee different for a cloud kitchen?
No. Cloud kitchens follow the same turnover-based tiers and fees as dine-in restaurants.
What happens to the fee if I let the licence lapse?
You still pay the same licence fee, plus ₹100 for every day of delay, and you are treated as unlicensed for the gap — which carries much larger Section 63 penalties.
This guide is general information for Indian restaurants, not legal advice. Rules change and specifics vary by state and situation — confirm with a qualified professional. EatSafe Legal connects you to verified CAs and lawyers when you need one.
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