Municipality Rotterdam: Applying for an event licence
If you wish to organise an event, you must notify the municipality and, in some cases, apply for a permit. You can check this online using the permit check (vergunningscheck).
Events in category B and C must be notified to Rotterdam Festivals before September of the previous year.0 events must be notified at least 5 business days in advance.A events must be notified at least 4 weeks in advance.A+ events must be notified at least 8 weeks in advance.
You do not need a permit for a 0 event. A 0 event has to meet the following criteria:
- There are fewer than 250 attendees.
- The event is outdoors.
- The event takes place at a working day or on a Saturday between 9 am and 11 pm, or on a Sunday or holiday between 1 pm and 11 pm.
- The event is not taking place on a public road.
- The event will not disrupt traffic or shipping.
- The noise level will not exceed 80 dB(A) within 10 meters of any sound source.
- You only place small objects with a surface area of less than 25 m2 per object.
- There is no other event taking place in the surrounding area.
- There is organizer who can be contacted by the municipalty or emergency services during the event.
When a permit is required:
- The event is a large gathering, such as a festival, celebration, show or jumble sale.
- The event may take place in several places at the same time.
- The event is on or next to a public road.
- The event makes it necessary to close a road.
- The event may disrupt the emergency services, such as the police or ambulances, for example due to a road closure.
- You expect noise nuisance.
- You are installing large objects with a surface area of more than 25 m2 per object.
The permit check (vergunningscheck, in Dutch) will show you which documents you need to submit.
Permit check
Carry out the permit check (in Dutch).
Notifying the event
Contact the municipality to notify your event. Call our municipal service number 14 010. When you call from abroad, call +31 10 267 16 25.
The amount that you have to pay for applying depends on the type of event that you are organising. The application costs for a 0 event is free of charge.
Visit our website for more information:
The application for a 0 event will be processed in 5 business days or more.The application for an A event will be processed in 4 weeks or more.The application for an A+ event will be processed in 8 weeks or more.The application for a B and C event will be processed in 8 weeks or more.