Can I use Spotify in my café, restaurant or shop?

Spotify for business use: not permitted

No, Spotify is not permitted for business use in cafés, restaurants or shops. Spotify itself states clearly that its service is only available for personal, non-commercial use. For music in public or commercial spaces you need a special business solution, including the right licences from organisations such as Buma/Stemra and Sena.

As a hospitality business owner you naturally just want to play music to create atmosphere in your venue. But whether or not you have Spotify Premium—you may not use it for business purposes. This article explains why, which licences you are legally required to have, and which legal alternatives are available.

What does Spotify itself say about business use?

Spotify’s official guideline for commercial use is clear: the service is intended exclusively for personal, private use. This means you may *not* play Spotify in:

– Cafés, bars and restaurants
– Shops and retail environments
– Fitness centres, salons and spas
– Hotels and accommodation
– Offices and business premises
– Radio stations and broadcasts
– Events and festivals

The reason is simple: music makers and Spotify partners are paid through licences. You pay for Spotify Premium as a private individual—that fee does not cover commercial use. When you play music in a business that customers visit, this is a business activity and you must compensate the artists and rights holders in a different way.

Consequences of unauthorised use: although Spotify does not enforce this aggressively, you could lose your account or risk legal action from copyright organisations.

Which licences do I need for business music use?

In the Netherlands, two organisations are responsible for collecting fees for the use of music:

Buma/Stemra
Buma/Stemra is the licensing organisation for the mechanical and personal reproduction of music. If you play music in your café, restaurant or shop (live, via radio, streaming or CD), you must apply for a licence from Buma/Stemra. This can be done through a fixed annual fee, depending on:

– The floor area of your premises
– The number of visitors
– The type of business (café vs. shop, for example)

Typically this costs a few hundred euros per year.

Sena
Sena (Stichting ter Exploitatie van Naburige Rechten) handles rights for artists, musicians and producers. This organisation receives part of the Buma/Stemra fee and distributes it among its members.

Important note: both licences are *required*, regardless of which music platform you use. Whether you use Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, CDs, radio or a streaming service for hospitality—you always need both.

What are the business alternatives to Spotify?

There are various legal business music solutions designed specifically for hospitality businesses. With these services too, you usually arrange the Buma/Stemra and Sena licence for playing music in public yourself, via mijnlicentie.nl.

Backsound: the Dutch specialist for hospitality

Backsound is a specialised service built precisely for this market. The company offers two flexible packages:

– Full Package (€39.95/month): Including a free Windows 11 mini PC with screen, immediate activation and full support.
– Own PC Full Package (€34.95/month): The same service on your own computer or media player.

Features included:
– Millions of tracks in one library
– 20,000+ ready-made playlists (by mood, genre, time of day)
– AI Playlist Generator (automatically compiles playlists based on your preferences)
– Spotify Import Tool (take over your existing playlists)
– Multiroom support (extra zones free of charge)
– Remote app & Request app (customers can request songs)
– Works offline if your internet goes down
– 24/7 online helpdesk + on-site service
– Free updates & maintenance

Customer experience: Backsound scores 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 65 Google reviews. Customers particularly appreciate the fast service, the friendly support (also at weekends) and the fact that it is the cheapest solution in this category.

Comparison: business music solutions

Prices checked on 3 October 2026 on the providers' own websites, all amounts excluding VAT. Soundtrack offers a 14-day free trial; at Backsound you can request a demo or a trial placement.

Choose your business solution: Backsound as a reliable Dutch alternative

If you are looking for a legal, affordable way to play music in your venue, Backsound is a strong choice. Not only is it cheaper than many competitors, it is also Dutch-owned, with direct support. You arrange the Buma/Stemra and Sena licence for playing music in public yourself via mijnlicentie.nl.

No hassle with copyright, no risks, and you get professional music management including a smart AI generator that automatically creates playlists to match the atmosphere of your venue. Plus: the first month is cheaper if you take advantage of their introductory offer.

Interested? Visit Backsound.nl for more information, free advice and a personal demo.

Sources

• Spotify Support: Public & Commercial Use – Spotify’s official guideline
• Buma/Stemra – Dutch licensing organisation for music
• Sena – Organisation for neighbouring rights (artists and producers)
• Backsound.nl – Dutch alternative for business music

Contact Backsound

Spotify is not allowed in your venue—but that doesn't have to be a problem. With Backsound you have a legal, affordable solution designed specifically for Dutch hospitality businesses. The music has a business licence; you arrange the Buma/Sena licence for public playback yourself via mijnlicentie.nl. You get professional music management with smart AI playlists, multiroom support and a 24/7 helpdesk. Make sure your business is legally covered and that artists are paid fairly. Contact Backsound for a free demo and personal advice.

See also

• Royalty-free music in your shop
• View our prices
• What does it cost to play music in your shop or hospitality business?