Regulations for balcony railings in your state
If you're planning a new balcony railing, you're inevitably faced with the question: Which regulations apply in my federal state? What is the minimum height for railings? And are there any other things I need to consider? Legal regulations vary from state to state – especially when it comes to regulations and recommendations for child protection.
We have summarized below which regulations for balcony railings apply to the individual federal states in Germany.*
Important note on fall protection
Please note: A balcony railing generally fulfills safety-relevant functions as a fall protection device. Therefore, it is subject to strict standards and building regulations. To ensure compliance, fall protection must not only meet certain dimensions but also always be professionally installed – ideally by a specialist company. If you install your railing yourself, you must ensure that it does not serve as a fall protection device – or have it inspected by an expert afterwards. Otherwise, safety and liability risks may arise.
Content
North Rhine-Westphalia
Bavaria
Hesse
Baden-Württemberg
Lower Saxony
Rhineland-Palatinate
Saxony
Brandenburg
Berlin
Thuringia
Schleswig-Holstein
Hamburg
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Saxony-Anhalt
Saarland
Bremen
Summary
Regulations for balcony railings in North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, balcony railings in private areas must be 0.90 m high if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. In addition, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Bavaria
In Bavaria, it must be ensured that children cannot climb over the balcony railing – a parapet is therefore required for fall heights of 0.5 meters and above. TÜV Süd specifies a height of 0.90 m for a fall height of 0.5 m to 12 m. For a fall height of 12 m or more, the height must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Bavaria can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Hesse
In the private sector, balcony railings in Hesse must be 0.90 m for a fall height between 1 m and 12 m. If the fall height exceeds 12 m, the height must be 1.10 m.
For better protection of small children, the following regulations also apply:
- Openings in the railing must not be wider than 12 cm.
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not exceed 6 cm.
- Openings at the top and bottom of the railing should not be larger than 12 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Hesse can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Baden-Württemberg
In Baden-Württemberg, a minimum height of 0.90 m is required for balcony railings in private areas – regardless of the fall height. The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not exceed 6 cm.
There are special regulations for small children up to the age of six to ensure the highest possible protection.
- The distance between horizontal bars must not exceed 2 cm up to 0.6 m, and 12 cm beyond that.
- For vertical elements, the distance between each other should not exceed 12 cm. Here, you want to prevent children from sticking their heads through.
- A maximum clearance of 12 cm is permitted below the railing.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Baden-Württemberg can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Lower Saxony
In private areas in Lower Saxony, the height of balcony railings must be 0.90 m if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. Above that, it is 1.10 m.
For greater protection of small children, the following also applies:
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing must not exceed 6 cm.
- All railing openings must not be higher than 12 cm if the width is more than 12 cm – and vice versa.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Lower Saxony can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Rhineland-Palatinate
In Rhineland-Palatinate, a height of 0.90 m is specified for balcony railings in private areas if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m – if the fall height is higher, it is 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Rhineland-Palatinate can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Saxony
In Saxony, the height of balcony railings in private areas is also 0.90 m if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m – if the fall height is higher, it must be 1.10 m.
To better protect small children and make it more difficult to climb over the railing, the following specifications also apply:
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not be more than 6 cm.
- The horizontal distance between vertical struts should not be greater than 12 cm.
- Upper and lower railing openings should not be larger than 12 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Saxony can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Brandenburg
In Brandenburg, the regulations for balcony railings in private areas stipulate that the minimum height must be 0.90 m if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m.
For a fall height of 12 m or more, the minimum height must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Brandenburg can be found here »
Regulations for balcony railings in Berlin
In Berlin, a height of 0.90 m is specified for private areas if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. From a fall height of 12 m, the height is 1.10 m.
Furthermore, for better protection of small children:
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing must not exceed 4 cm.
- All railing openings, such as horizontal or vertical struts, must not exceed 12 cm. This is intended to make climbing over them more difficult.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Berlin can be found here »
Regulations for balcony railings in Thuringia
The following also applies to balcony railings in Thuringia: The railing must be 0.90 m high if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. If the fall height is higher, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Thuringia can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Schleswig-Holstein
In Schleswig-Holstein, the regulations for balcony railings in private areas are also clear: If the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m, the railing height must be 0.90 m. For fall heights of over 12 m, the railing must be 1.10 m high.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Schleswig-Holstein can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Hamburg
The following regulations apply to balcony railings in private areas in Hamburg. For fall heights between 1 m and 12 m, a height of 0.90 m is required. If the fall height is over 12 m, 1.10 m is required.
For better protection of small children, the following also applies:
- The distance between horizontal bars must not exceed 4 cm if the railing height is up to 0.7 m. If the railing is higher, it must not exceed 12 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Hamburg can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the following regulations apply to balcony railings: that the height must be 0.90 m for a fall height between 1 m and 12 m. If the fall height is higher, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Saxony-Anhalt
In Saxony-Anhalt, the following applies to balcony railings in private areas: The height must be 0.90 m if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. If the height is higher, the railing must be 1.10 m high.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Saxony-Anhalt can be found here »
Regulations for Balcony Railings in Saarland
The following also applies to balcony railings in private areas in Saarland: The height must be 0.90 m if the fall height is between 1 m and 12 m. In addition, the railing height must be 1.10 m.
For greater protection of small children, the following also applies:
- Railing openings should not be wider than 12 cm.
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not be more than 4 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Saarland can be found here »
Regulations for balcony railings in Bremen
In Bremen, a minimum height of 0.90 m is required for balcony railings in private areas for a fall height of 1 m to 12 m. Above this height, the height must be 1.10 m.
There are also special regulations for greater protection of small children:
- The distance between horizontal bars must not exceed 2 cm if the railing height is up to 0.5 m.
- All railing openings, such as horizontal and vertical bars, must not exceed 12 cm in size to prevent children from sticking their heads through.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Bremen can be found here »
Are you clear about the regulations and minimum height for your planned balcony railing? Then you can order your new railing now!
Regulations for the height of balcony railings at a glance
| State | Minimum height per fall height |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Bavaria |
0.5 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Hesse |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 6 cm |
| Baden-Württemberg |
0.90 m Ground clearance max. 6 cm |
| Lower Saxony |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 6 cm |
| Rhineland-Palatinate |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Saxony |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 6 cm |
| Brandenburg |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Berlin |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 4 cm |
| Thuringia |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Schleswig-Holstein |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Hamburg |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 4 cm |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Saxony-Anhalt |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m |
| Saarland |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm Ground clearance max. 4 cm |
| Bremen |
1 - 12 m: 0.90 m from 12 m: 1.10 m Openings max. 12 cm |
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*Attention: This guide does not constitute individual legal advice. Errors and changes excepted. To ensure that your balcony railing complies with regulations, please contact your local building authority.
Tip: If you're still looking for an affordable, high-quality balcony railing, take a look at our railing sets, which come as a complete package with matching posts.
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