We may be well into 2025, but the New Year’s fireworks debate is still blazing hot, with yet another Dutch party backing a full ban. 🧨
That brings the total number of Dutch MPs opposing loud bangs to a very respectable 94, reports the NOS.
Doei doei, Dutch tradition
Support for a national fireworks ban has rapidly increased in the House of Representatives since last New Year’s, when over 8,000 attacks on police and emergency services were reported.
The newest recruit in the anti-fireworks brigade is the coalition party NSC, previously undecided due to the cherished Dutch tradition of blowing stuff up.
Now that they have decided to prioritise police and emergency services’ safety, the only important remaining opponents are the PVV, BBB, and SP — but that’s not enough to block the ban.
Will we see a complete fireworks ban?
Well, we’re likely to see an almost complete ban on the personal use of fireworks, as the finer details are still to be worked out in Thursday’s parliamentary debate.
What we do know so far is that the government wants to extend the ban to the second category (F2) of fireworks available on the Dutch market. These include fonteintjes (little fountains) and grondbloemen (ground flowers), among others.
The most dangerous categories of fireworks (F3 and F4) have been banned since 2020.
A change in policy means that only F1-rated fireworks (such as sparklers and certain firecrackers) would be allowed to be sold.
And what if you love ringing the new year in with a bang? Lucky for you, official fireworks shows will likely still be organised. 🎇
A calmer 2026?
It is not yet certain when exactly the ban will happen, but it could already be implemented by the next holiday season.
However, it’s more likely it will take at least a year and a half, according to the State Secretary of Public Transport and Environment.
Part of that transition would also include paying €100 to €150 million as compensation to the fireworks industry. Not a bad parting gift, right?
In that case, 2026 will be your last chance to let out all your pyromaniac tendencies — after that, it’s official fireworks shows only. 😉
What do you think of a complete fireworks ban? Let us know in the comments!
