Requesting the participation of children at events

For the participation of children and young people of full-time school age (hereinafter: children)

• in theater performances, musical performances, advertising events,
• for radio and television recordings and
• film and photo shoots

as an employer, you can apply for an exemption from the ban on child labor.

Employers are all those who employ a child themselves or through a responsible person, for example a theater, a business or a company (e.g. a film production company) or an association (e.g. a choral society in regular opera and concert operations).

A permit is required for the employment of:

• Children (from 3. up to and including the age of 14)
• Young people of full-time school age (from 15 up to and including 17 years of age)

For young people who are still subject to full-time compulsory schooling, the regulations applicable to children apply.

The activity of a child must be a creative participation, for example as a performer, musician, supporting character or person without a speaking role (extra), extra, singer, model.

Exceptions for creative participation may be approved:

• for theater performances
  • for children over 6 years of age
  • up to 4 hours a day
  • in the period from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• for musical performances and other performances, advertising events and recordings on radio (radio and television), on sound and image carriers as well as film and photo recordings
  • for children over 3 to 6 years of age
    • up to 2 hours per day
      in the period from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • for children over 6 years of age up to the end of the 9th school year
    • up to 3 hours a day
    • in the period from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Permission is generally granted for a maximum of 30 days per calendar year and child.

Employment days of several employers are added together.

Rehearsals count as working time and are included in the period of employment.

After the end of employment, the child must be granted the required 14 hours of free time between two jobs. Attendance at school before the end of this period is not affected by this restriction.

Permission is not granted for children to work in cabarets, dance halls and similar establishments as well as at amusement parks, funfairs, fairs and similar events, shows or performances.

An exception for the employment of a child under the age of 3 cannot be granted.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that the necessary precautions and measures to protect the child in question against risks to life and health and to prevent detrimental physical and mental development are taken at the latest before the start of employment. All the circumstances that play a role in the child's employment must be taken into account.

Furthermore, employers must ensure that the child is cared for and supervised. The necessary measures therefore include careful selection, appointment, instruction and supervision of the supervisor, even if the employer has delegated these tasks.