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. Although a company may technically hold an AFE without a current Licença de Funcionamento (and vice versa), operating a physical facility without both authorisations violates Brazilian health surveillance law and exposes the company to municipal and federal enforcement actions, including facility interdição and operating penalties.
Verify all information against official ANVISA sources before making regulatory decisions.