Event licence

If you want to organise an event at a public location in the Netherlands, you will probably need an event licence from your local municipality. This applies to activities such as:

• a store opening involving activities in a public street;
• a neighbourhood or street party;
• a street fair;
• a parade;
• a party tent;
• a flea market;
• a circus performance;
• a jumble sale;
• a grill or barbecue;
• a helicopter landing or takeoff;
• flying a captive balloon;
• takeoff of a hot-air or helium balloon;
• parachute jumping;
• an exhibition;
• a theatre, cabaret or musical performance.

Sometimes you don't need a licence; a notification will suffice.

Waterway event licence

If you are organising an event along a provincial waterway, you will need a waterway event licence from the provincial authority. The provincial authority will only grant a waterway event licence for short events, and on condition that the event will not jeopardise the safety and progress of shipping traffic.

Online application procedure via Message Box

You can submit event licence applications also online via Message Box. Event licence applications involving an inland waterway cannot be submitted via Message Box. Submit your application for this licence in writing to the provincial authorities.