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Licença de Funcionamento — Municipal Operating Licence

In addition to the federal AFE issued by ANVISA, companies operating physical premises (warehouses, showrooms, manufacturing sites, distribution centres) in Brazil must obtain a Licença de Funcionamento (operating licence) from the municipal VISA body for each site.

What Licença de Funcionamento covers​

The municipal VISA licence covers:

  • Suitability of the premises for the intended activity (storage conditions, fire safety, sanitation);
  • Compliance with local zoning laws; and
  • Basic compliance with health surveillance requirements at the local level.

Renewal​

Licença de Funcionamento is typically renewed annually and requires payment of municipal fees. Failure to maintain a current Licença de Funcionamento can result in local VISA enforcement actions, including interdição of the premises.

The ANVISA AFE and the municipal Licença de Funcionamento are complementary — both are required. A company may hold an AFE without a Licença de Funcionamento (and vice versa), but operating without both means the company is not fully compliant with Brazilian health surveillance law.

Official sources

Verify all information against official ANVISA sources before making regulatory decisions.