Requesting children's participation in events
For the participation of children and young people of full-time school age (hereinafter: children)
- at theatrical performances, musical performances, promotional events,
- for recordings on radio and television, and
- for film and photo shoots
As an employer, you can apply for an exemption from the prohibition of child labour.
Employers are all those who employ a child themselves or through a responsible person, for example a theatre, a business or a company (for example, a film production company) or an association (for example, a choral association in the regular opera and concert business).
A permit is required for the employment of:
- Children (from 0 to 14 years of age)
- Young people of full-time school age (from 15 to 17 years of age)
For young people who are still subject to full-time compulsory education, the rules applicable to children apply.
As a rule, a permit is granted for a maximum of 30 days per calendar year and child.
Employment days from multiple employers are added together.
Samples count towards working time and are included in the employment time.
After the end of employment, the child must be granted the required 14 hours of free time between two activities. Attendance at school before the end of this period is not affected by this restriction.
A licence is excluded for the participation of children in cabarets, dance halls and similar establishments as well as at amusement parks, fairs, fairs and similar events, shows or performances.
An exception for the employment of a child under 3 years of age cannot be granted.
Employers are responsible for ensuring that the necessary precautions and measures are taken to protect the respective child against risks to life and health as well as to avoid adverse physical and mental development before the start of employment at the latest. In doing so, it is necessary to take into account all the circumstances that play a role in the child's employment.
Furthermore, the employer must ensure the care and supervision of the child. The necessary measures therefore include careful selection, appointment, information and supervision of the supervisor, even if the employers have delegated these tasks.
You can submit an application for an exemption from the prohibition of child labour in writing. The procedure is as follows:
- Fill out the application form
- Attach the required documents
- written consent of the legal guardians,
- the medical certificate (not older than 3 months) and
- the school's certificate.
- The competent authority examines the application and decides whether the application can be approved.
- The complete application should be submitted in good time - at least 10 days before the start of employment.
- Incomplete applications cannot be approved; if necessary, the application will be rejected. Finally, you will receive a notification of approval from the responsible authority.
- You may only employ the child after receiving the approval notice. Retroactive approval is not possible. The employment of children without official authorisation is prohibited and, depending on the circumstances of the offence, can be punished in accordance with the fine and penal provisions of the Youth Employment Protection Act.
The responsibility lies with the State Trade Inspectorates in Lower Saxony. If the employer falls under mining law, the application must be submitted to the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology.
- Areas of responsibility of the State Labour Inspectorates of Lower Saxony
- Requesting children's participation in events
Remark: Will soon be replaced by a link to the service portal of Lower Saxony
A child's activity must be a creative contribution, for example as a performer, musician, supporting character or person without a speaking role (extra), extra, singer, model.
Exceptions for creative participation can be granted:
- for theatrical performances
- for children over 6 years of age
- up to 4 hours a day
- from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- for musical performances and other performances, advertising events as well as recordings on radio (radio and television), on sound and image carriers as well as film and photo recordings
- for children over 3 to 6 years
- up to 2 hours a day
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- up to 2 hours a day
- for children over 6 years of age up to the 9th grade
- up to 3 hours a day
- from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- for children over 3 to 6 years
- Declaration of consent (written consent of the legal guardians)
- medical certificate (not older than 3 months)
- Certificate from the school that there is no risk of poor school performance
- A statement from the Youth Welfare Office can optionally be submitted with the application. Otherwise, this will be obtained by the authority processing the application.
Administrative fees apply. Fee depends on the scope/duration of the processing of the application
There is no deadline. Please note, however, that you are only allowed to employ the child after receiving the notification of approval and that retroactive approval is not possible.
§ 6 Act for the Protection of Working Youth (Youth Employment Protection Act - JArbSchG)
Official exemptions for events
Forms available: Yes
Written form required: Yes
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: No
- An appeal against the decision can be lodged with the locally competent authority for occupational safety and health within one month of notification.
- Unsuccessful opposition proceedings are subject to a fee.
The application form is available on the website of the Lower Saxony Trade Inspectorate.
You may only employ the child after receiving the approval notice. Retroactive approval is not possible. The employment of children without official authorisation is prohibited and, depending on the circumstances of the offence, can be punished in accordance with the fine and penal provisions of the Youth Employment Protection Act.
Lower Saxony Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Equality
The text was automatically translated based on the German content.
