📣 Freedom of assembly and demonstrations

Open-air demonstrations usually have to be registered, as a rule 48 hours in advance. Some states regulate this themselves.

demonstration assembly registration 48 hours Assembly Act (Versammlungsgesetz) march rally emergency assembly

In brief

You may assemble peacefully. This is protected by Art. 8 of the Basic Law.

Anyone planning an open-air demonstration must register it. Under the federal act: at the latest 48 hours before the assembly is publicly announced.

But be careful: several federal states have their own assembly laws. Ask the assembly authority beforehand.

Step by step

Find out which law applies in your stateDoes the federal act or a state law apply? The assembly authority can tell you.
RegisterRegister with the responsible authority, stating the topic and the organiser.
Check any conditionsThe authority can impose conditions. Read them carefully.
In a dispute, get legal advice quicklyThere is often interim legal protection against bans or conditions. Get advice immediately.

Deadlines

at the latest 48 hours before announcement

Registration of a public open-air assembly or march.§ 14 VersammlG (federal act)

Watch out – common mistakes

The deadline applies before the assembly is announced, not before it starts.
In states with their own law, the deadline may be calculated differently (see the in-depth section).
For spontaneous assemblies, case law of the Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) often provides an exception. Have this clarified in each individual case.
Violations may result in a fine or criminal penalty.

In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Federal and state law

§ 14 para. 1 VersammlG: anyone who intends to hold a public open-air assembly or march must register this with the responsible authority at the latest 48 hours before it is announced. The registration must state the subject of the assembly and who is in charge.

Since the federalism reform of 2006, legislation lies with the states. According to overviews close to the BMI, Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein have their own laws; elsewhere the federal act continues to apply. In Bavaria and Lower Saxony, only working days are said to count towards the 48-hour deadline. Not conclusively checked; check the state law (Art. 13 BayVersG, § 5 NVersG).

Spontaneous and emergency assemblies

The case law of the Federal Constitutional Court recognises exceptions for spontaneous and emergency assemblies. The details have not been checked here against primary sources.

Who is responsible

Assembly authority (public order office or police, depending on the state)
BMI: overview of assembly law

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Freedom of assembly and demonstrations“?

Open-air demonstrations usually have to be registered, as a rule 48 hours in advance. Some states regulate this themselves.

Which deadlines and figures matter?

at the latest 48 hours before announcement: Registration of a public open-air assembly or march. (§ 14 VersammlG (federal act))

What should I do first?

Find out which law applies in your state: Does the federal act or a state law apply? The assembly authority can tell you.
Register: Register with the responsible authority, stating the topic and the organiser.
Check any conditions: The authority can impose conditions. Read them carefully.

What do I need to watch out for?

The deadline applies before the assembly is announced, not before it starts.
In states with their own law, the deadline may be calculated differently (see the in-depth section).
For spontaneous assemblies, case law of the Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) often provides an exception. Have this clarified in each individual case.

Evidence

Gesetze im Internet, § 14 VersammlG, retrieved 20 September 2026
BMI, Versammlungsrecht (search result), retrieved 20 September 2026
versammlungsrecht.org, Anmeldefrist (search result, secondary source), retrieved 20 September 2026

As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.