Germany Bolsters Police and Firework Restrictions for a Safer New Year's Eve 2025-2026

As Germany counts down to the New Year, cities across the country have ramped up police deployments and enforced firework bans to ensure public safety during the 2025-2026 New Year's Eve celebrations. In Berlin, authorities have mobilized 4,300 police officers—an increase of 3,300 from regular nights—supported by over 800 additional personnel from other federal states including Saxony and Brandenburg. The police in Leipzig are preparing for their busiest night of the year with a heightened presence across all precincts, focusing on the high-risk Eisenbahnstraße and the Connewitzer Kreuz area where disturbances linked to leftist groups are anticipated.

The Eisenbahnstraße remains infamous for violent incidents during New Year's Eve, with recent altercations causing serious injuries and ongoing investigations. Leipzig police have intensified patrols and deployed additional specialized units, although exact numbers remain undisclosed for tactical reasons.

Across the country, many cities including Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bochum, Duisburg, and Frankfurt have established firework ban zones, especially in densely populated or sensitive areas. Munich has enforced bans in the city center and around the Tierpark Hellabrunn zoo. Hamburg is notably utilizing drones to monitor crowds and enforce restrictions. Violation of these bans may result in fines up to 200 euros.

Despite facing challenges from a post-Christmas influenza surge affecting some police and emergency staff, cities are maintaining robust security efforts. In NRW, the police force has increased to 7,600 officers, and both Frankfurt and Munich have confirmed readiness to manage potential risks. Politicians and authorities broadly call for a peaceful transition into 2026, mindful of past New Year's Eve incidents involving violence and illegal fireworks.

Major celebrations will include a revamped large-scale New Year's Eve show in Hamburg's Hafencity, replacing Berlin’s traditional Brandenburg Gate event, and will welcome up to 25,000 visitors. Overall, Germany’s multi-city coordinated strategy focusing on increased police visibility, targeted interventions in known hotspots, and strict firework bans aims to provide a safer environment for citizens ringing in 2026.