How to open a leisure-time activities centre

A Leisure-time Activities Centre (ATL) is a social support establishment which aims to host children and adolescents from the age of 6.

The ATL dynamizes specific activities to develop the personality of the children in a respect and acceptance environment.

Learn here which steps to follow to open an ATL.

Licence for use

The licence for use (or construction licence) is a general validation of the property as to the conditions, location, functional suitability and compliance with fire safety rules and health and hygiene standards.
This licence can be applied for in your local city council.

Consult the step by step guide for more information.

Operating Licence

The operating licence is the process that legally validates your activities centre.
It is granted after an inspection that assesses the adequacy of human resources, the draft of internal regulations, the existence of equipment and facilities appropriate to the activity, the applicant's contributory good standing and the suitability of all those involved.
Licensing applications can be made on this portal.

Consult the step by step guide for more information.

How to open a leisure-time activities centre step by step

Step 1: Develop a business plan

The business plan is not mandatory, but it is essential for your project to be successful. Do not forget to include:

  • Analysis of the local needs
  • To decide on the legal nature (company, association, IPSS)
  • Services provided
  • Marketing strategy and promotion
  • Financial Plan - costs and revenues
  • Human resources
  • Space plan
  • Main risks

 

Step 2: Premises and Licence for Use

The activities centre can operate on owned or rented property. In any case, a licence for use is necessary. Submit the request to your city council, which, in its turn, will involve the necessary entities:

  • Social Security Institute
  • National Civil Protection Authority
  • Competent health authority

This inspection evaluates:

  • Conditions and location of the establishment
  • Functional suitability of the premises
  • Compliance with fire safety rules
  • Compliance with the hygiene and health standards

The waiting time between the inspection request and the approval may take up to 45 days, corresponding to 15 days until the inspection plus 30 days for the approval.

Equipment specific to the activity may be added after this inspection.

 

Step 3: Internal Regulation

The internal regulation shall be binding and shall include:

  • Conditions for admission of children;
  • Care and services to be provided;
  • Rights and duties;
  • Operating hours;
  • Detailed information on the establishment’s operation;
  • Pricing or criteria for determining family co-participations.

 

Step 4: Human Resources

The hiring of professionals of an activities centre follows clear rules without which the activity is not allowed. At the bottom of this page you will find a Normative Order on the Operation of the Leisure-Time Activities Centres that explains how to build your team.

Before applying for the licence, you need to have a staff plan, with the characteristics of each position.

It is advisable that, before the licensing request, the whole recruitment process is already done, with pre-agreement of the contract. When applying for licensing, you should submit the specific criminal record for all professionals who directly contact with the children.

Request the criminal record

 

Step 5: Beginning of Ativity

The licensing application must be carried out on behalf of the company or management entity, and it is therefore necessary for it to be duly regulated at the time of the application.

Create your company here

Open your association here

Open your IPSS here

 

Step 6: Request of the Operating Licence

The Request of the Operating Licence can be submitted online or in person in the district Social Security centres.
The waiting time between the inspection request and the approval may take up to 45 days, corresponding to 15 days until the inspection plus 30 days for the approval.
The following documents are required to submit this request:

  • Copy of the applicants’ citizen card
  • Copy of the tax identification card
  • Simple extract of the entries’ content in force in the commercial registry or the access code to the respective permanent certificate
  • Copy of the articles of association in the case of an IPSS
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Statement of the applicant(s)' contribution status or authorisation for the competent authorities to consult it
  • Proof of ownership of premises or lease agreement
  • Licence or authorization for use (see step 2)
  • Plan of staff with their academic qualifications and functional content
  • Draft of the contract to be entered with the users
  • The documents regarding the beginning of the activity in a franchising, if applicable

All the detailed information on how to open a leisure-time activities centre is available in the Practical Guide for the Licensing of the Social Support Establishments Activity

The rates in force can be consulted on the Social Security portal.

 

Step 7: Insurance and Complaints Book

The fire insurance (for building units and common parts of buildings on horizontal property) and the complaints book are mandatory. Consult the Complaints Book Explanatory Guide.

NORMATIVE ORDER ON THE OPERATION OF THE LEISURE-TIME ACTIVITIES CENTRES
Decree-Law no. 96/1989
DECREE ON THE LICENCE FEES
Administrative Decree no. 348/2008
DECREE ON THE SOCIAL SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENTS AND ITS LICENCES
Decree-Law no. 99/2011
LEGAL SCHEME FOR THE BUILDING’S CONSTRUCTION
Decree-Law no. 555/99