Who needs a GHMC trade licence
Shops and retail outlets
Kirana, clothing, electronics and general stores inside GHMC limits, from market lanes to malls.
Restaurants, cafes and cloud kitchens
Eating places need a trade licence in addition to an FSSAI licence.
Clinics, salons and gyms
Service premises open to customers, such as clinics, beauty parlours and fitness studios.
Workshops, godowns and small units
Repair shops, storage and small manufacturing from commercial or industrial premises.
Offices and consultancies
Where a trade or business is carried on from commercial premises inside the city limits. We confirm for your activity.
Trade licence, Shops Act, FSSAI and GST: what is the difference
| Registration | What it is | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| GHMC trade licence | Permission to carry on a trade at premises inside city limits. Renewed every year. | GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) |
| Shops and Establishments | Labour-law registration covering staff, hours and leave | Telangana Labour Department |
| FSSAI licence | Food safety licence for any food business | FSSAI or Telangana food safety authority |
| GST registration | Tax registration once turnover crosses the limit | GST portal |
These are separate and one does not replace another. Most Hyderabad shops and restaurants need two or more of them.
What it costs
- GHMC fee: depends on the trade category, the plinth area of the premises and the width of the road outside. Reported fees start at a few hundred rupees and can reach ₹25,000 or more.
- Telangana Green Fund charge: added on top of the licence fee. It has been reported as 10% of the fee for licences up to ₹5,000 and ₹1,000 above that.
- Our fee: fixed and quoted before you pay. We work out the exact GHMC fee for your premises on the portal first.
Renewal and penalties
GHMC announces a schedule every year for new and renewal licences. For the 2026 licence year, renewal was penalty-free until 20 December 2025, a 25% penalty applied until 19 February 2026 and 50% after that. GHMC also said businesses operating without a valid licence face a 100% penalty. Dates change each year, so check the GHMC portal or ask us, and we will set a reminder for you.
Documents we ask for
- Identity proof: Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport or driving licence. For a company or firm: the incorporation certificate or deed
- Proof of the premises: rent agreement with the owner's no-objection letter, latest property tax receipt, or an electricity or water bill
- A clear photograph of the premises and the shop front
- Details of the trade: type of business, plinth area of the premises, road width outside
- A mobile number you control, since the GHMC portal uses an OTP to log in
How it works
Send details on WhatsApp
Business type, address, plinth area and documents. We tell you if GHMC is the right authority for your address.
We register on the GHMC portal
We create your trade login with your mobile number and OTP on ghmc.gov.in.
Form, documents and payment
We fill the application, upload the documents and you pay the fee online.
Certificate issued
After payment the licence certificate with a Trade Licence Identification Number is issued. We share it on WhatsApp and note the renewal date.
Related registrations in Hyderabad
- Shops and Establishments: if you have employees. See Shops Act registration in Hyderabad.
- GST: once turnover crosses the limit. See GST registration in Hyderabad.
- FSSAI: for any food business. See FSSAI licence.
- Udyam (MSME): free and useful for loans. See Udyam registration.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GHMC trade licence if I already have Shops and Establishments registration?
Yes. They are different. Shops and Establishments registration is under labour law and is about employees and working conditions. The GHMC trade licence is a municipal permission to carry on a trade or business at premises inside Hyderabad city limits. Many businesses need both.
Which premises does the GHMC trade licence cover?
Premises within Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits. If your shop or office is under another local body, such as a different municipality or the Secunderabad Cantonment Board, the trade licence comes from that body. Tell us your address and we confirm which one applies.
How much does a GHMC trade licence cost?
The fee depends on the trade category, the plinth area of the premises and the road width outside. Reported fees start at a few hundred rupees and can go to ₹25,000 or more, plus a Telangana Green Fund charge. We work out the exact fee for your premises on the portal before you pay.
What happens if I run without a licence or renew late?
GHMC announces a yearly schedule with penalties. For the 2026 licence year, renewal was penalty-free until 20 December 2025, then 25% penalty until 19 February 2026, then 50%, and GHMC said businesses operating without a valid licence face a 100% penalty. Check the portal for the current year's dates.
Is the licence valid for one year?
Trade licences are renewed every year on the GHMC schedule. We set a reminder so you renew inside the penalty-free window.