Regulations for balcony railings in your state
At a Glance
- In Germany, different regulations regarding minimum height, spacing, and safety apply to balcony railings depending on the federal state, with a particular focus on child safety.
- Balcony railings serve an essential function as fall protection and are therefore subject to strict building law requirements, necessitating professional installation or approval by experts.
- ELEO offers high-quality metal railing sets that can be adapted to current standards and provides support with detailed installation instructions.
If you are planning a new balcony railing, you will inevitably face the question: Which regulations apply in my federal state? What is the minimum height for railings? And are there other things I need to consider? Legal ordinances vary from state to state – especially regarding regulations and recommendations for the protection of children.
We have summarised the balcony railing regulations for the individual federal states in Germany for you below.*
Important Note on Fall Protection
Please note: A balcony railing usually performs safety-critical functions as fall protection. It is therefore subject to strict standards and building law requirements. To ensure compliance, fall protection must not only have specific dimensions but must 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 fall protection – or you should have it inspected and approved by an expert afterwards. Otherwise, safety and liability risks may arise.
Contents
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
Balcony Railing Regulations in North Rhine-Westphalia
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the requirement for balcony railings in private areas is a height of 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. Beyond that, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Bavaria
In Bavaria, it must be ensured that children cannot climb over the balcony railing – a parapet is therefore mandatory from a drop height of 0.5 metres. TÜV Süd specifies a height of 0.90 m for a drop height of 0.5 m to 12 m. For a drop height of 12 m or more, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Bavaria can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Hesse
In private areas in Hesse, the height must be 0.90 m for a drop height between 1 m and 12 m. If the drop height is greater than 12 m, it must be 1.10 m.
For better protection of infants, 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.
- At the top and bottom of the railing, openings should not be larger than 12 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Hesse can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Baden-Württemberg
In Baden-Württemberg, a minimum height of 0.90 m is prescribed for balcony railings in private areas – regardless of the drop height. The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not exceed 6 cm.
Special regulations apply to infants up to the age of six to ensure the highest possible level of protection.
- Between horizontal bars, the gap must not exceed 2 cm up to a height of 0.6 m; beyond that, it must not exceed 12 cm.
- For vertical elements, the distance between them should not exceed 12 cm. This is to prevent children from sticking their heads through.
- A maximum clear dimension of 12 cm is allowed below the railing.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Baden-Württemberg can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Lower Saxony
In private areas in Lower Saxony, the height must be 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. Beyond that, it is 1.10 m.
For increased protection of infants, 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 »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Rhineland-Palatinate
In Rhineland-Palatinate, a height of 0.90 m is specified for balcony railings in private areas if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m – if the drop height is higher, it is 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Rhineland-Palatinate can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Saxony
In Saxony, it is also the case for private spaces that the railing height must be 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m – if the drop height is above that, it must be 1.10 m.
To better protect infants and make climbing the railing more difficult, the following specifications also apply:
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not be wider than 6 cm.
- The horizontal distance between vertical bars should not exceed 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 »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Brandenburg
In Brandenburg, the regulations for balcony railings in private areas state that the minimum height must be 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m.
From a drop height of 12 m, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Brandenburg can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Berlin
In Berlin, a height of 0.90 m is specified for private areas if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. From a drop height of 12 m, it is 1.10 m.
Furthermore, for the better protection of infants:
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing must not exceed 4 cm.
- All railing openings, such as horizontal or vertical bars, must not exceed 12 cm. This is intended to make climbing more difficult.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Berlin can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Thuringia
The same applies to balcony railings in Thuringia: The railing must be 0.90 m high if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. If the drop height is higher, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Thuringia can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Schleswig-Holstein
Regulations for balcony railings in private areas are also clear in Schleswig-Holstein: If the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m, the railing height must be 0.90 m. For drop heights over 12 m, the railing must be 1.10 m high.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Schleswig-Holstein can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Hamburg
The following regulations apply to balcony railings in private areas in Hamburg. For a drop height between 1 m and 12 m, a height of 0.90 m is prescribed. If the drop height is over 12 m, 1.10 m is specified.
For better protection of infants, the following also applies:
- Between horizontal bars, the gap 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 »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the regulations for balcony railings state that the height must be 0.90 m for a drop height between 1 m and 12 m. If the drop height is higher, it must be 1.10 m.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Saxony-Anhalt
In Saxony-Anhalt, the following applies to balcony railings in private areas: The height must be 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. If the height exceeds this, the railing must be 1.10 m high.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Saxony-Anhalt can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Saarland
In Saarland, the following also applies to balcony railings in private areas: The height must be 0.90 m if the drop height is between 1 m and 12 m. Beyond that, the railing height must be 1.10 m.
For increased protection of infants, the following also applies:
- Railing openings should not be wider than 12 cm.
- The clear distance between the balcony and the railing should not exceed 4 cm.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Saarland can be found here »
Balcony Railing Regulations in Bremen
In Bremen, a minimum height of 0.90 m is prescribed for balcony railings in private areas for drop heights from 1 m to 12 m. Above that, the height must be 1.10 m.
Special regulations also exist for the increased protection of infants:
- Between horizontal bars, the distance 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 to prevent heads from getting stuck.
The detailed regulations for balcony railings in Bremen can be found here »
Are the regulations and minimum height for your planned balcony railing clear? Then you can order your new railing now!
Overview of Balcony Railing Height Regulations
| Federal State | Min. height per drop 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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*Please note: This guide does not constitute individual legal advice. Errors and changes are excepted. To ensure that your balcony railing complies with the regulations, please contact your local building authority (Bauordnungsamt).
Tip: If you are still looking for an affordable and high-quality balcony railing, take a look at our railing sets, which come complete with matching posts.
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