Authority for Economic Affairs and Innovation

Request the establishment of fairs, exhibitions or markets

Do you want to have an event officially registered? Here you can find out how and where to apply for registration.

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market fixing

Detailed description

As an organizer, you can apply for the licensing of trade fairs, exhibitions or markets (the district offices are responsible for the licensing of Christmas markets as special or annual markets according to the implementing regulations for the trade regulations).


This exempts you from certain legal regulations, such as:

  • the shop opening hours law,
  • the law on Sundays, public holidays, days of remembrance and mourning,
  • the Working Time Act and
  • the trade regulations.
 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You would like to have your event officially registered.
  • You are planning to hold one of the following events:
    • Fair
    • Exhibition
    • wholesale market
    • weekly market
    • Specialty market
    • fair
  • There are no public interests opposed to the event.

Documents required

  • Application
  • Information from the Federal Central Register for submission to authorities
  • Information from the Central Business Register for submission to authorities
  • Certificate of business registration
  • Site plan of the event
  • Overview of the goods to be sold
  • Terms and conditions for participation in the event
  • Preliminary list of exhibitors
  • Additionally, for legal entities: extract from the commercial register.
  • Additionally, for associations: extract from the register of associations

Please note

Please note that a determination also entails specific obligations that you must comply with.

Deadlines

Please submit your application 4 to 6 weeks before the start of the event to ensure timely processing.


Trade fairs and exhibitions can only be scheduled for events that take place within two years.

Procedure

  • You submit an application. You can use the online service or a PDF form for this.
  • If you wish to apply for the assessment using a PDF form, open the corresponding form.
    • Please fill out the PDF form.
    • Please submit your application and the required documents by email or post to the responsible authority.
    • The responsible authority will review your documents and may request further documents from you.
    • You will receive a notification of the decision as well as a fee notice.
    • You pay the fees.
  • If you wish to apply for the assessment via the online service, access the online service.
    • Please fill out the application form.
    • Please upload all necessary documentation.
    • The responsible authority will review your documents and may request further documents from you.
    • You will receive a notification of the decision as well as a fee notice.
    • You pay the fees.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees

The fees depend on the individual case and are based on the time required to process your application.


Please note that additional fees apply for requesting information from the Federal Register and the Central Business Register.

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

Sections 64 et seq. of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__64.html


Section 69 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__69.html

Links on hamburg.de

Address and contact information

Authority for Economic Affairs and Innovation

Economic Regulatory Law, Metrology and Calibration

Prior registration is required to drive onto the government premises and to park on the BWAI/BVM grounds. Parking management: parkplatz@bwai.hamburg.de

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Keywords: Folk festivals exhibition market Industrial fair fair fixing wholesale market weekly market specialty market

Last updated: 22.01.2026