Tips for low-risk private events

  • GUEST LIST
    Pre-arrange a guest list: no spontaneous visits, let your guests know that they cannot bring friends.

  • PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FEEL 100% HEALTHY
    Ask them to stay at home.

  • FIXED TIMES
    The longer an event lasts, the higher the risk of getting infected. Agree on a time beforehand and stick to it.

  • ATTENDANCE LIST
    A detailed attendance record with the guest's full name, district of residence, full address and contact details (phone number and/or email address) and time of attendance is required. You can also use the Corona alert app for this. With a few clicks you can create a private event and your guests can simply scan a QR code.

  • RAPID TESTS
    Rapid tests give some certainty, but not the same certainty as PCR tests and no additional rights in terms of events with more than the maximum allowed number of people and households Test shortly before, not together, each person individually before meeting up Afterwards, test regularly with self-test, rapid test, reduce contacts, especially with risk groups, call doctor immediately in case of symptoms, inform other participants/organizer

  • CONTACT PERSON
    Communicate a contact person in advance and on site for risk minimization. That person can explain the hygiene measures at the event and answer any questions.

  • MOUTH NOSE COVERING
    Covering your mouth and nose inside and outdoors is necessary to reduce the risk of infection. Keep some extra masks on hand in case they break or a guest forgets to bring one.

  • KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
    Give your guests the opportunity to keep their distance, for example - Outside: Prepare blankets at a certain distance from each other as host:in. - Inside: Move furniture aside, position chairs at a distance from each other

  • VENTILATE (INDOOR)
    Outdoor is less risky than indoor. Try to move your events outside. If it’s not possible to move your event outside, ventilate regularly or permanently (by keeping windows open).

  • WASH / DISINFECT HANDS
    Have hand-sanitizer available.

  • DO NOT SHARE
    joints, drinks, etc. and keep an eye on glasses / better keep them in hand.

  • BE CONSIDERATE OF RISK GROUPS
    Anyone in your environment could have asthma, an autoimmune disease, etc. (also undetected). The responsibility does not lie exclusively with this person

  • AFTER THE EVENT
    It is best for everyone to test themselves regularly with a self-test or rapid test and reduce contacts, especially with risk groups. In case of symptoms, stay at home and call your doctor or the public health emergency service (116117) immediately. Remember to inform other participants/organizers.

GUIDELINES FOR SAFE AND LEGAL EVENTS

Holding an event in accordance to Corona measures this year presents another challenge for safe and legal events. The Senate Department for Culture and Europe provides a hygiene framework for guidance, which you can find here.

Events in places open to the public and outside must generally be approved by the responsible district office. In many districts, the green spaces office is responsible for the entirety of event registration, including the noise protection application and bar permit. In some cases, the noise protection application and the bar permit are approved by the public order offices.

We would like to briefly describe all the permits that may have to be obtained. You will find additional references in the downloads and links section to help you plan and hold a safe and legal event.

PUBLIC ORDER OFFICES

You can find the responsible public order offices in the districts and the necessary documents here.

Please note that the offices may take up to 9 weeks to process your application. So make sure you submit all the necessary documents to the relevant district office as soon as possible.

NOISE PROTECTION APPLICATION

The general application form for noise protection can be found here.

The application can be submitted informally via the online form, but we recommend an additional personal contact (email/phone call). A lead time of 4 weeks until the start of the event must be taken into consideration when submitting the application. If you are submitting an application at short notice, please contact the responsible district office by phone as a matter of urgency. For the noise protection, an application is provided with a completion guide here. Please note that the contents of the application differ depending on the event and that the examples are not complete.

EXEMPTION PERMIT FOR GREEN SPACES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS

If your event takes place on a green space, you must submit an informal application for a special permit to the respective district office. Depending on the district office, the application must be received in writing and submitted at least 14 days before the event. The application must include:
- Name, address, telephone number of the applicant
- location
- Date or period of time, specifying the time of day, if applicable, including set-up/dismantling times
- specified information on planned activities
- specified information about planned temporary buildings
- precise description of the public interest which could justify the special permit
- details of how the issues after the event will be dealt with (waste disposal, etc.) - details of the person responsible on site, including mobile phone number
- Site plan with marking of the temporary buildings

The explicit requirements of each district green space office can be found on the respective district website. It is also advisable to contact the responsible person directly.
Please remember that the permit is subject to a fee. For fee exemption applications, please also submit your proof of non-profit status.

LICENSING

You can find the application for permission to serve alcoholic beverages according to § 12 of the German Restaurant Act here.

The Berlin districts all use the same document when applying for permission to serve alcoholic beverages. If you only serve non-alcoholic beverages or beverages in exchange for voluntary donations, you do not need a bar permit. 

The application must be submitted to the responsible public order office at least 2 weeks before the start of the event. 

SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR PUBLIC STREETS OR SQUARES

You can find the application for a special use permit here.
If your event takes place on a public street or public square, you must apply for a special use permit at the respective public order office. The application must include - Site plan
- Traffic sign plan in case of changed traffic routing
- Organiser's declaration
- Proof of insurance cover
- Number of visitors
- Consent of affected persons, if applicable

The application must be submitted between 4-9 weeks in advance, depending on the public order office. Please remember that the permit is subject to a fee. For fee exemption applications, please also submit your proof of non-profit status. The general fee exemption is limited to the year 2021.