Private fireworks - apply for an exemption from the ban on setting off fireworks

If you want to set off private fireworks in the period from 2 January to 30 December, you will need an exemption permit. You can only obtain an exemption licence for so-called pyrotechnic articles in category F2 ("New Year's Eve fireworks") .

Please note: Only at the turn of the year (on 31 December and 1 January) may you, as a private individual over the age of 18, set off category F2 pyrotechnic articles without a permit. The permitted burning times and burning zones may be further restricted by the municipal or local authority.

You have no legal claim to the granting of an exemption licence.

Please note: Even with such an exemption licence, you may not use pyrotechnic articles of the Category F3, F4, stage fireworks of category T2 or other pyrotechnic articles of category P2.
The same applies to the pyrotechnic articles of category F2 listed in § 20 Paragraph 4 of the First Ordinance to the Explosives Act:

• Firecrackers and firecracker batteries with flash-bang set,
• Rockets with more than 20 g net explosive mass,
• Swarmers and
• pyrotechnic articles with a whistle set as a single item.

The following information is required to apply for an exemption authorisation:

• Details of the applicant
• Details of the person organising the event
• Details of the event (occasion, date, burning time, location)
• Identity card as proof of age and place of residence
• further documents about the purpose of the fireworks display

• Minimum age: 18 years
• if the fireworks are not to be set off on your own property:
  written authorisation from the property owner
• a justified reason for setting off fireworks
  Justified reasons can be, for example
  • a wedding,
  • a milestone birthday
  • a company anniversary
• Fires may not be lit in the immediate vicinity of churches, hospitals, children's and old people's homes or particularly fire-sensitive buildings or facilities.

Erste Verordnung zum Sprengstoffgesetz (1. SprengV):

• § 20 Absatz 1 und 4
• § 23 Absatz 1 und 2
• § 24 Absatz 1

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After you have applied for the exemption authorisation, the competent authority will check your application and request additional documents if necessary. Depending on what the competent authority offers, you may be provided with a form or an online process. If the authority responsible for you does not provide a form, you can submit the application informally.

You can only purchase pyrotechnic articles in category F2 once you have received an exemption licence.

The exemption authorisation may be subject to conditions.

Conditions can be, for example

• Presence of the fire brigade or volunteer fire brigade during the setting off of the fireworks or
• Proof of liability insurance

You can find out whether and which conditions are attached to the authorisation and further information on the procedure from the authority responsible for you authority responsible for you.

You should submit the application at least four weeks before the desired date.

About four weeks due to queries from the

• the fire brigade or
• the labour inspectorate as the technical authority

The fee rates stipulated by the relevant competent authority in the statutes on fees under the Explosives Act apply.

The setting off of fireworks without a corresponding permit in the period from 2 January to 30 December of any given year constitutes an administrative offence for which a fine may be imposed.