Danish police: Buy fireworks legally – and use them safely under these conditions.
Starting December 15, the sale of fireworks is legal again in Denmark. For individuals, however, setting off fireworks is only permitted from December 31 until January 1, 2026. Read more after the announcement.
For many, fireworks are a festive part of the winter months, and when purchased legally and used responsibly, they rarely cause problems. Illegal fireworks, however, are a completely different matter.
Every year, police encounter a number of cases involving the illegal sale of fireworks, which pose a significant danger due to their extreme hazard. Assistant Police Officer Kristian Berthelssen from the National Police's Corporate Communications Department says:
“Unlicensed fireworks can be extremely dangerous, and we have seen before how bad the situation can be. On Monday, December 15, licensed fireworks will be available for sale at authorized stores in Denmark, and our recommendation is very clear: stick to licensed outlets. Do not buy fireworks from abroad, and do not buy them from unlicensed stores – it is illegal.”.
Increased interest in online shopping
This year, police will once again pay special attention to the growing online market for illegal fireworks. As a result, cyber police patrols have intensified their monitoring of websites and social media platforms where these fireworks are offered for sale.
Help stop illegal sales
To bolster these efforts, police are urging citizens to report all forms of illegal fireworks sales, whether online or in stores. Anyone who notices suspicious sales channels can contact the police and report this information so that appropriate action can be taken swiftly.
These are the rules
Starting December 15, 2025, it became legal to buy fireworks, but individuals were only permitted to set them off between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Police Assistant Kristian Berthelssen explained, “The rules for legal fireworks by individuals were tightened last year, so the current period only covers New Year’s Eve and the day after. Of course, we should be able to celebrate New Year’s, but it’s important that we be considerate of one another, and that’s why the off-season has been shortened compared to previous years.”
Source: National Police press release
