Apply for permission to show people for commercial purposes

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the local trade offices are responsible.

Alternatively, you can contact the Single Point of Contact in Rhineland-Palatinate. The Single Point of Contact is a public body through which you can handle all administrative procedures and formalities required for the commencement and exercise of your service activity and for the recognition of a foreign professional qualification. Further information can be found on the website of the Point of Single Contact.

• Single point of contact for administrative matters

Requirements for the granting of permission are:

• You must have the reliability required for the business operation.
• The exhibitions must not be contrary to public morals.
• The business operation must not be contrary to the public interest with regard to its local location or the use of the premises, for example, if it would have harmful effects on the environment within the meaning of the Federal Immission Control Act (Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz) or otherwise give rise to fears of considerable disadvantages, dangers or nuisances for the general public.

• Copy of the identity card or passport with a registration certificate
• If applicable, valid residence permit (for non-EU nationals).
• Description of the business, in particular designation of the rooms and any fixtures, including a description of the intended use.
• Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority (document type O)
• Extract from the commercial register for submission to an authority
• Certificate in tax matters from the tax office
• possibly trade or other register excerpt
• Possibly a building permit (in the case of first-time use for the exhibition of persons)
• Possibly a floor plan of all rooms intended for operation

Is based on the respective administrative fee regulations of the state or on the fee statutes of the bodies responsible under state law.

The permit must be granted before the start of operation, so a timely application is required.

The permit is deemed to have been granted if the authority has not made a decision on your application within a period of three months after receipt of the complete documents.

The permit expires if the holder has not started the operation within one year after it has been granted or has not operated it for a period of one year.

If the documents are complete, the application will be processed promptly.

§ 33a Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act

§ 49 Trade Regulation Act

• § 33a Gewerbeordnung (GewO)

• Appeal (depending on state law, an appeal may be excluded)
• Action before the locally competent administrative court

• Forms: Available depending on country
• Online procedure possible: no
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: no

The permit is independent of any restaurant permit that may still be required.

Violation of the permit requirement and violation of an enforceable condition may be punished as an administrative offense with a fine; persistent repetition of the violation of the permit requirement may be punished as a misdemeanor with imprisonment or a fine.

03.04.2025