Mysterious Last New Year's Eve in the Netherlands before fireworks ban
The Dutch are preparing for the last New Year's Eve with firecrackers. From the turn of the year 2026/2027, a ban on firecrackers is to apply following a parliamentary resolution.
30.12.2025, 05:54
30.12.2025, 05:55
SDA
Fire departments, hospitals and police fear a particularly harsh night. The sale of fireworks has already increased dramatically. The industry expects sales to be around 20 percent higher than in the previous year.
According to police reports, the import of illegal firecrackers is also on the rise. These have enormous explosive power, with the police comparing them to bombs and grenades.
This year, more than 65,000 kilograms of illegal fireworks had already been confiscated by mid-December. This is significantly more than in the previous year, when just under 46,000 kilograms were withdrawn from circulation.
The sale and setting off of heavy firecrackers has been banned for years. However, private individuals can buy them legally in Belgium and Germany and then smuggle them across the border.
Many more amputations
The number of serious injuries is also increasing. According to the Association for Hand Surgery, between November and mid-December, more than twice as many children and young people lost a hand, finger or arm to exploding firecrackers than in the same period last year. The reason was illegal firecrackers. Ten young people had to have an arm, hand or finger amputated. In 2024 there were four.
Professional shows still possible
Next year, professional firework shows will remain permitted, but must be approved. The majority of the population (62%) support the ban, according to a recent survey by the research institute I&O Research.
In recent years, police officers, firefighters and emergency services have regularly been attacked with fireworks. People have been injured or even killed by explosive devices.
Doctors, police, local authorities, animal and environmental conservationists have been calling for a ban for years, but it was not until spring that a majority was reached in parliament. For administrative reasons, however, the ban cannot be implemented until next year. Parliament still has to approve measures to control and compensate the industry.
Fireworks are controversial in Switzerland
Fireworks and firecrackers are also controversial in Switzerland. According to a survey by the JRC opinion research institute, almost seventy percent of voters in Switzerland support the idea of protecting the population, animals and nature from the harmful effects of fireworks.
The popular initiative "For a restriction on fireworks" was launched in December 2023. In mid-December of this year, the National Council approved a direct counter-proposal to ban the setting off of firecrackers. However, the large parliamentary chamber is opposed to restrictions on the import of fireworks and the obligation to have a permit. The matter now goes to the Council of States.
