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Pyrotechnics Company License (Pyrotechnikunternehmen)
GewO §94 Z.53
Verified: April 2026
Key Facts
- Type: Regulated trade (reglementiertes Gewerbe)
- Qualification: Professional competence + pyrotechnics-specific certification
- Explosives license: Required under the Pyrotechnikgesetz 2010
- Insurance: Mandatory liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
- Registration cost: Free (€0) at the trade authority
- Note: Each event typically requires a separate municipal permit
What Does This Trade Cover?
The pyrotechnics trade license covers professional firework displays and pyrotechnic services:
- Planning and executing professional firework shows for events and celebrations
- Stage pyrotechnics for concerts, theater, and film productions
- Industrial pyrotechnics (demolition charges, signal devices)
- Sale of professional-grade pyrotechnic articles (categories F3, F4, T2, P2)
- Storage, transport, and handling of pyrotechnic materials
- Safety planning and risk assessment for pyrotechnic events
Explosives License Required
Beyond the GewO trade registration, pyrotechnics companies need an explosives handling permit
under the Pyrotechnikgesetz 2010 (PyroTG). This involves a reliability check
(Verlässlichkeitspruefung), proof of technical knowledge, and approval of storage facilities.
The Bezirksverwaltungsbehoerde issues both the trade license and the explosives permit.
Insurance Requirements
Pyrotechnics companies must carry mandatory liability insurance that covers:
- Property damage: Fire, explosion, and debris damage to surrounding buildings or vehicles
- Personal injury: Coverage for injuries to spectators, crew, or third parties
- Environmental damage: Contamination from pyrotechnic residues
- Minimum coverage: Sums vary by insurer, but must be adequate for the scale of operations
Event-Specific Permits
Each pyrotechnic display typically requires additional approvals:
- Municipal permit: The local Gemeinde must approve the firework event
- Safety distances: Minimum distances to spectators, buildings, forests, and protected areas
- Fire brigade notification: The local Feuerwehr must be informed and may need to be on standby
- Nature protection: Restrictions near wildlife reserves, especially during nesting seasons
Qualification Requirements
- Pyrotechnic specialist certification (Pyrotechniker-Ausbildung) from an accredited provider
- Reliability check (Verlässlichkeitspruefung) — criminal record review
- Practical experience in pyrotechnic operations, typically under supervision
- Individual assessment (§19 GewO) with proof of professional competence
- Qualified manager (§39 GewO) who holds the required certifications
Vollstaendige deutsche Version →
Related Guides
Legally binding: German text of GewO 1994.