Guide
Music licences for bars, restaurants and event spaces
If your venue plays music for guests, it needs a licence for public performance. This guide explains the basics and names the collecting societies in our main markets. It is general information, not legal advice.
In short
- Playing music to guests is a public performance and needs a licence
- Collecting societies grant the licence and collect the fees
- Personal streaming subscriptions generally cover private use only
- SkafRemix plays your licensed music; the licences stay with your venue
Why a venue needs a music licence
Songs are protected by copyright. When you play music to guests in a bar, restaurant, shop or event space, you perform it in public. The rights holders are paid through licences that your venue obtains.
Fees usually depend on factors such as the size of the room, the type of use (background music, events, dancing) and how often music is played. Each collecting society publishes its own tariffs.
Who to contact in our main markets
| Country | Organisation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | GEMA | Also collects fees for neighbouring rights (GVL) for public performance |
| France | SACEM and SPRE | Two fees (authors and neighbouring rights), declared together |
| Spain | SGAE, AGEDI and AIE | Authors through SGAE, neighbouring rights through AGEDI and AIE |
| Italy | SIAE and SCF | Authors through SIAE, neighbouring rights through SCF |
| Morocco | BMDAV (formerly BMDA) | Moroccan office for copyright and neighbouring rights |
Check the current tariffs and requirements with the organisation in your country before you open.
How to get licensed
Describe your use
Background music, events, dancing, screens with music: write down how you use music.
Contact the collecting society
Use the online forms or contact the regional office for businesses.
Keep the licence up to date
Report changes such as a larger room, new event formats or additional screens.
Streaming apps and background music services
Personal streaming subscriptions are generally licensed for private use; their terms usually exclude playing in a business. Some providers offer business music services with their own licensing terms—check what they include and what your collecting society still requires.
SkafRemix supplies no commercial music. It plays your venue’s own licensed music, so your licences stay with your venue.
Detailed guides by country
Each guide explains the organisation, what the fee depends on and how to apply, with links to the official sources.
GEMA for bars and restaurants
Tariffs, fee factors and online registration for music in German hospitality.
Read moreSACEM for bars and restaurants
SACEM and SPRE in France: which case applies to your venue and how to declare it.
Read moreMusic licence in Spain (SGAE)
SGAE for the songs, AGEDI and AIE for the recordings: what a Spanish bar or restaurant needs.
Read moreMusic licence in Italy (SIAE)
SIAE musica d’ambiente, SCF and event permits: what an Italian bar or restaurant needs.
Read moreMusic licensing in Morocco (BMDAV)
Who collects music royalties in Morocco, which venues are concerned and how to get a BMDAV authorisation.
Read moreQuestions and answers
Does a small bar need a music licence?
In general, yes, as soon as music is played to guests. The fee depends on the tariff and factors such as room size; ask the collecting society in your country.
Can I play music from my personal streaming account in my restaurant?
Personal subscriptions are generally licensed for private use and their terms usually exclude business use. Check the terms and your venue’s licences.
Does SkafRemix include music licences?
No. SkafRemix plays your venue’s own licensed music; the licences for public performance stay with your venue.
Who collects music licence fees in Germany?
GEMA, which also collects the fees for neighbouring rights (GVL) for public performance.
Questions about music in your venue?
We help you plan the music setup; for licences, your collecting society is the right contact.
Tell us about your venue · we get back to you personally to plan sound, nights and pilot scope · no obligation