permits for shooting
A general company permits for shooting - as required in some German cities - is not necessary in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.
As far as the Film Commission is aware, no authorisation / special use permit is required for filming by individuals or small mobile teams using only a hand-held camera or a simple tripod at locations not specified in advance without restricting, obstructing or endangering third parties - e.g. for current reporting or documentation. However, for such recordings in Hamburg city centre or in sensitive areas such as the area around the Reeperbahn, it is recommended to send an informal email to the Mitte district office. If there are no objections, you will receive confirmation from the district office.
Authorisation is always required if work equipment or sets are set up on public property and third parties are restricted or hindered by the filming. Permits (special use permits) and, if necessary, road traffic authority orders (parking spaces/HVZs/closures) must then be obtained for the individual filming locations where the work is to take place. The easiest way to do this is with the help of our standardised motif form: The form must be completed in full and sent to the relevant authorities at least two weeks in advance. IMPORTANT: the application must be accompanied by as detailed a sketch as possible, including a traffic sign plan in the case of applications for road closures.
