Overview
- Retailers began legally selling F2 consumer fireworks on December 29 for the three authorized days, with preordered items allowed for home delivery during the same window.
- The industry expects 10–15% more stock in stores after roughly €197 million in 2024 sales, though a TÜV survey finds only 22% plan to set off private fireworks.
- Doctors and environmental groups urge a ban on private pyrotechnics, citing injuries, hospital strain and pollution, as DUH highlights a 42,400‑tonne import tally; industry bodies blame severe incidents on illegal devices and call for tougher enforcement.
- Berlin set five no-fireworks zones from 18:00 on December 31 to 06:00 on January 1, plans about 4,000 police and 1,500 firefighters, and reports 140,000 pyrotechnic items seized in recent weeks, including many powerful F4 devices such as kugelbomben.
- Municipalities are enlarging restrictions, with Wolfratshausen widening its historic‑center ban and warning fines up to €5,000, and federal plans under discussion could broaden local banning powers from 2026.