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IMPORTANT: Select a location.To obtain application forms, location-specific information and contacts, select a town or zip code.

For an area outside of Lower Saxony and foreign languages, some menu items and functions are not available. Please go to the service page of the respective country.

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Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Itinerant trade Granting of exemptions to prohibitions

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The following activities are prohibited in the travel trade; exceptions may be permitted in individual cases:

  • Distribution of
    • poisons and goods containing poisons
    • (exception: plant protection products, pesticides and wood preservatives for which a test certificate with a test mark has been issued in accordance with building regulations)
    • hernia bands, medical bandages, medical support apparatus and bandages, orthopaedic foot supports, spectacles and eyeglasses
    • (exception: safety glasses and ready-to-wear reading glasses)
    • electromedical devices including electronic hearing aids
    • (exception: devices with direct exposure to heat)
    • securities, lottery tickets, subscription and share certificates for securities and lottery tickets
    • (Exception: sale of lottery tickets as part of approved lotteries for charitable purposes on public ways, streets or squares or other public places)
    • Writings distributed with the promise of premiums or winnings
  • Offering and purchase of
    • Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum and platinum by-metals) and alloys containing precious metals in any form, as well as goods with precious metal overlays (Exception: silver jewelry up to a selling price of 40.00 euros and goods with silver overlays)
    • precious stones, gemstones and synthetic stones as well as pearls
  • Offering alcoholic beverages
    (Exception: beer and wine in tightly closed containers, alcoholic beverages from self-produced products of viticulture, agriculture or orcharding and horticulture, the purchase of alcohol for the production of liqueurs and spirits from fruit, plants and other agricultural raw materials, where the raw materials are not fermented themselves and alcoholic beverages, which are served in the context of and for the duration of an event from a fixed place of business for consumption on the spot)
  • Conclusion as well as brokering of repurchase transactions (pawnbroking) and brokering of loan transactions against payment for the borrower.

In individual cases, exceptions to these prohibitions may be permitted if, according to the circumstances of the individual case, there is no danger to consumers or the public and no concerns arise from the person of the applicant or other circumstances. These exceptions must be applied for at the responsible office.

The exemption permit is limited to the area of responsibility of the issuing authority.

The content of the exemption permit can be restricted (e.g. to certain types of events), it can be issued with a time limit and it can be linked to conditions. It is also possible to add, change and supplement conditions at a later date.

The holder of an exemption permit is obliged to carry it with him while carrying on the business, to show it to the competent authorities or officials on request and to cease his activities on request until the exemption permit is obtained.

Anyone wishing to operate a traveling trade always requires a permit, a so-called traveling trade card.

Who should I contact?

Local regulatory authorities

Requirements

  • In order for the competent authority to grant you an exemption from the prohibitions on itinerant trade, you must already be in possession of an itinerant trade card.
  • According to the circumstances of the individual case, there must be no danger to consumers or the public, and there must be no objections to an exemption on account of your person or other circumstances.

Applications / forms

  • Written form required: no
  • Online procedure possible: yes (if offered)
  • Personal appearance required: no

Which documents are required?

  • Travel trade card (if required; §§ 55a, 55b GewO)
  • Identity card or passport with registration certificate
  • If applicable, documents documenting the project

The competent authority may request further documents.

What are the fees?

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

Process flow

If you have submitted an application for an exemption from the prohibitions on itinerant trade to your competent authority and all documents are complete, the competent authority will check whether you meet the relevant requirements.

If you meet all the requirements, you will be granted an exemption from the prohibitions on itinerant trade.

You may not start the activity until you have received the written granting of the exemption.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

The written issuance of the exemption is mandatory to wait before you start the activity.

Processing duration

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

Legal basis

Appeal

  • Opposition (depending on the state law, the objection may be excluded)
  • Administrative court action

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
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