Germany’s Unique Laws and Regulations
Germany can appear relatively Laissez-Faire compared to other countries. It is still possible to smoke in public parks, in some bars, and sunbathe, while 16-year-olds can legally drink beer or wine, the age limit is 21 in the USA. However, Germany is also heavily regulated, especially on Sundays and public holidays.
Quirky Laws in Germany
The German rule book is full of quirky, often outdated laws. Some of these laws may seem unusual to visitors, but they are taken seriously by the authorities.
Good Friday Dancing and Film Prohibition
In most of Germany’s 16 states, Good Friday is seen as a "quiet holiday" where dancing has been prohibited since the Middle Ages. The capital Berlin has a relatively liberal approach to the ban on dancing, which only takes place on Good Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. However, in the south, largely Catholic state of Bavaria, the ban runs from Thursday to Saturday. Penalties for those who violate the law can be up to €10,000. Many other loud activities are prohibited on this day of silence and religious compliance, including car washes, browsing, and moving house.
Banned Films on Quiet Holidays
Around 700 films were banned in quiet holidays in various German states. Some of the banned films include "Ghostbusters", the cartoon classic "Heidi" from 1975, and Monty Python’s religious satire "Life of Brian" from 1979. However, Germans continue to demand their right to dance during Easter and protest the ban routinely. Since 2013, an initiative in the city of Bochum has organized public screenings of "Life of Brian" in protest against the rule.
Environmental Regulations
There are also laws in place to protect the environment. It is illegal to pick mushrooms in the forest at night, mainly to prevent people from disturbing nocturnal wild animals. It is also illegal to remove wild garlic at the roots for pestos and soups, as it can easily be confused with toxic plants.
Sand Castle Prohibition on Baltic Beaches
Children are not allowed to build sand castles on many beaches on the holiday islands in front of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea coast. The construction of sand castles on islands like Sylt is prohibited to prevent stranding. However, some resorts like Binz and Sellin on the island of Rügen allow sand castles, but with a maximum height of 30 centimeters and a circumference of 3.5 meters.
Sunday Regulations
The tradition of rest period or quiet time on Sundays is still observed in Germany. It is forbidden to use all motorized garden equipment, including lawnmowers, on Sundays and even on public holidays. Those who want to make noise could be punished. The Sunday ban extends to the streets with the shop closure law, a federal law that prohibits retail transactions of all kinds on Sundays and public holidays.
Highway Regulations
It is a crime to run out of fuel on the highway in Germany. Drivers who do not fill their tank adequately before going to the highway are considered negligent and can be punished. Stopping on the highway is only allowed in emergencies.
