Bahrain restricts street vending to nationals

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Only Bahrainis allowed to operate street vending in the kingdom, ministry confirms Street vending in B a h r a i n r e m a i n s strictly reserved for Bahraini nationals, with licences personal and non-transferable, the Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Wael Al Mubarak, told parliament.

Under a “one-person, one-licence” rule, any attempt to apply for a second licence is automatically blocked across municipalities. “The occupancy system has been programmed so it does not accept a second application if the vendor already holds a licence in another municipality,” the minister said in a reply to MP Jalal Kadhem.

Vendors must operate only at their assigned spot, with violations subject to licence suspension. The framework is designed to regulate locations, ensure compliance with public health and safety standards, and keep the profession confined to Bahraini citizens.

Currently, there are 31 licensed street vendors in the kingdom: 10 licences were issued in 2023, seven in 2024, and 14 in 2025, with one licence suspended by Muharraq Municipality for breaching regulations.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be Bahraini, at least 18 years old, medically fit, free of infectious disease, and not employed in the government or priv a t e sector. They must also not appear in the commercial register. Licences run for one year and can be renewed in the final month of validity.

Trading rules

Vending is prohibited near ministries, government offices, embassies, highways, junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights, and within 500 metres of shops selling similar goods. Vendors may not sell cooked food, milk products without health authority approval, fireworks, weapons, or other banned items, and must use hygienic, sealed containers for drinks. Chasing passers-by, using horns or loudspeake r s , littering, and causing pollution are strictly forbidden.

For mobile food vehicles, operators must obtain written permission from property owners, avoid parking on road reserves, maintain spacing between vehicles and junctions, and ensure safe electrical connections. Vehicles on municipal land require approval from the relevant municipality. In residential areas, operations are restricted to 6 a.m. to midnight, with parking confined to the property boundary.

Inspections and new scheme

Regular inspections are conducted at food-truck sites to ensure compliance. Al Mubarak said the ministry is preparing a new scheme to organise foodtruck locations, including an online booking system allowing operators to reserve desired spots. Approval has already been granted for 18 mobile food vehicles to operate on municipality-owned properties.