Licence to organise a circus or funfair
Do you want to organise a circus or funfair in the Netherlands? In most municipalities you will need 1 or more licences to do so. This also applies to having a funfair stand. In some cases you will need to make a notification.
Applying for a licence and making a notification
You apply to the municipality for the licences you need for a circus or funfair. You may need 1 of the following licences:
- funfair licence (kermisvergunning).
- circus licence (circusvergunnning).
Sometimes a notification to the municipality is enough. For example, for a 1-day event. Also, in some cases you must report an activity that is covered by the Decree on fire-safe use and primary emergency services other places (Besluit brandveilig gebruik en basishulpverlening overige plaatsen, Bbgbop, in Dutch).
Check with the municipality (in Dutch) which rules apply.
Please note: some municipalities issue only a limited number of permits for circus performances per year.
Environment and planning permit
Municipalities may also set out rules for circus or funfair events in their environment plan. If so, you may need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). You need an environment and planning permit if your circus or funfair:
- does not fit within the rules of the environment plan
- is in or near national waters
- is in or near a protected nature reserve
Go to the Environment and Planning Portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch) to find out if you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning) of if you need to submit a notification. And you can apply directly for a permit or make a notification, such as a notification for fire-safety.