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Decision point: planning stand design, approval time and shipping according to NürnbergMesse's rules

Messe Nürnberg Exhibition Grounds: Exhibitor and Visitor Guide

At the Messe Nürnberg exhibition grounds, single-storey stands that follow the technical rules need no drawing approval; multi-storey structures, special structures, stands above 400 m² and podiums from 0.20 m in height are subject to approval. Approval documents are submitted in German as PDF files, and processing can take up to 42 days after the documents are complete. On the grounds, forwarding and delivery of goods rest with the forwarding and service companies NürnbergMesse appoints (ServicePartners); exhibitors may not use their own cranes or forklifts (Technical Regulations, sections 4.2, 4.2.1 and 5.12).

NürnbergMesse presents the grounds as 16 halls with 180,000 m² of gross indoor exhibition space (Halls & Site); the German-language page gives up to 50,000 m² of gross open-air exhibition space (Hallen & Gelände). The official address is NürnbergMesse GmbH, Messezentrum, 90471 Nürnberg (guidelines page).

Article date: 13 October 2026. The technical rules follow the Technical Regulations 2026 document.

How are the grounds and halls laid out?

The halls are numbered 1 to 12; 3A, 3C, 4A and 7A are listed as additional halls, and 10.0 and 10.1, 11.0 and 11.1, and 12.0 and 12.2 as separate sections. Halls 11.0 and 11.1 are known as the Frankenhalle. Hall areas range from 4,680 m² (halls 2 and 8) to 16,410 m² (hall 7) (Hallen & Gelände). The site plan can be downloaded as a PDF from the same page. According to the page, any point on the grounds is reached on foot within ten minutes; six entrance areas carry service points, and visitor and delivery traffic are kept apart.

Floor load capacity differs from hall to hall (Technical data for halls; 1 kN = 100 kg):

  • Halls 1, 2, 3, 3A, 4A, 5, 6, 7A, 8, 9 and 11.0: 50 kN/m²
  • Hall 10.0: 20 kN/m²
  • Hall 10.1: 10 kN/m²
  • Hall 11.1: 5 kN/m²

The floor load of the remaining halls, and the gate dimensions and ceiling heights of all halls, are given hall by hall in the same data sheet.

How do you get to the grounds?

From Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof, Underground line U1 towards Langwasser Süd reaches the Messe stop in about eight minutes; a Zone A single ticket or day ticket is valid (travel and accommodation page). From Albrecht Dürer Airport, the U2 runs to Hauptbahnhof and passengers change to the U1; the page gives the journey time by Underground as 20 to 25 minutes and by taxi as about 25 minutes.

By car, the A3, A6, A9 and A73 motorways connect to the grounds; a dynamic traffic and parking guidance system directs drivers to car parks. The grounds have 13,500 parking spaces; 6,500 are within walking distance and 3,000 are in a multi-storey car park (Hallen & Gelände page).

Where do you stay?

Nürnberg has about 9,000 rooms and more than 20,000 beds. NürnbergMesse offers a booking service at special rates through its partner hotel concept; further booking channels and a list of hotels close to the Underground network are on the same page (travel and accommodation page).

What are the build-up, dismantling and vehicle access rules?

Build-up and dismantling times are announced in advance for each fair; outside these times the halls and the grounds are closed. By the end of the announced dismantling time, the exhibitor removes the stand construction material and goods and restores the area to its original condition. Goods left after that time may be removed and stored by the ServicePartners, at the exhibitor's expense and risk (Technical Regulations, section 1.2.1).

During a fair, the halls are open from one hour before the official opening time until one hour after the official closing time, unless other times are published for that fair. Working on a stand outside this range requires special written permission from NürnbergMesse (section 1.2.2).

Vehicle access works as follows:

  • Time slot: time slots for entry, loading and unloading are booked online in the dynamic logistics system (section 2.1; transITfair).
  • Halls: vehicles may not enter the halls during build-up and dismantling; exceptions need NürnbergMesse's prior approval. Inside the halls, vehicles move at walking speed, at most 6 km/h (section 2.1).
  • Speed on the grounds: the limit is 20 km/h; in the service areas between the halls, vehicles keep to the straight lanes (section 2.1).
  • Electric mini-vehicles: e-scooters, Segways, e-bikes and pedelecs may not be operated in the halls (section 2.1).
  • Passes: during build-up and dismantling the halls are entered only with a special pass, and security staff check authorisation at random (section 2.5).

What are the stand approval and technical rules?

The rules below come from the Technical Regulations; section numbers are in brackets.

Which structures need approval?

As long as the technical rules are followed, single-storey stands need no drawings submitted. All other structures, mobile stands and special structures are subject to approval (section 4.2). Approval is required for (section 4.2.1):

  • multi-storey stand structures
  • outdoor buildings, for example temporary structures
  • special constructions: show trucks, promotional vehicles, climbing walls, containers, moving parts
  • exhibition stands and areas larger than 400 m²
  • reception rooms larger than 100 m², or cinemas
  • performance and stage areas
  • podiums and walkable structures from a height of 0.20 m
  • LED and video walls and their substructures

The following are submitted in German as PDF files: a structural analysis audited or auditable to German standards, a building specification, stand construction drawings at 1:100, and an escape route plan showing the emergency routes. If a valid site inspection log or type test is submitted, the structural analysis, specification and drawings are not required. Construction may not start before the plans are stamped as authorised; the cost of the approval procedure is charged to the exhibitor or the stand construction company.

Processing takes up to 42 days after the documents are complete; approval within 14 days is possible only in exceptional, simple cases (Technical Regulations, section 4.2). The period applies to issuing the approval, not to the date of the fair. Technical approval does not exempt anyone from the Technical Regulations; only departures written into the approval are exceptions.

Where is the stand height limit written?

The Technical Regulations leave construction heights to the event: for a given fair, the heights are shown in the application documents and, where they exist, in the special conditions of participation (section 4.3). For hall-specific data, see the data sheet for halls.

What limits apply to ceilings, sprinklers and suspension?

With the exception of halls 4A and 7A, halls 1 to 12 and 3A and 3C are equipped with sprinkler systems. A safety clearance of more than 1.00 m is kept at the top edge of the stand, exhibits and decoration; reducing it needs NürnbergMesse's approval (section 3.1.4). The ceiling limits are as follows (section 4.4.2):

  • What counts as an open ceiling: a ceiling counts as open if no more than 30 per cent of each square metre of the ceiling area is closed.
  • Stretched fabric: sprinkler-compatible fabric has a mesh width of at least 4 x 4 mm; it is a single layer, at least 1.0 m vertically from the sprinkler head, and covers no more than 30 m².
  • The 30 m² limit: on single-storey stands the closed area does not exceed 30 m²; exceptions are possible in individual cases. For larger closed areas the responsible ServicePartner installs sprinklers. Several closed ceiling areas need at least 3.00 m between them and 1.50 m to the stand boundary.

For suspension from the hall ceiling, suspension points are provided exclusively by NürnbergMesse through its appointed ServicePartners. The maximum vertical load of each point depends on the hall (section 4.7.5.1):

  • 25 kg (0.25 kN): halls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12; points are at least 1.00 m apart.
  • 240 kg (2.4 kN): halls 3A, 3C, 4A, 7A and 11.

Higher loads are possible only on request and with NürnbergMesse's written approval. Suspension points cannot always be provided: in halls 3A, 3C and 11.0 none are available over the exhibition areas near the loading yard gates, where headroom is limited; in halls 4A and 7A only a few points with reduced load capacity are available in the same zones. Details are in NürnbergMesse's instruction sheet on suspension points.

What is required for a multi-storey stand?

A multi-storey stand is possible only with NürnbergMesse's authorisation. The application is made immediately after stand approval is received; the form (P1.1) is obtained from the fair's management, or the online portal Booth+ Check can be used instead. Multi-storey stands are not possible in halls 10.1, 11.1 and 12.2 (section 4.9.1). The limits:

  • Clear height: at least 2.30 m on the ground floor and upper floors (section 4.9.2).
  • Floor load: 3.0 kN/m² for meeting and customer areas; 5.0 kN/m² for freely accessible display, meeting and sales areas (section 4.9.3).
  • Stairs and railings: staircases and landings carry 5.0 kN/m²; railings carry a horizontal load of 1.0 kN/m (section 4.9.3).
  • Escape: from any accessible point on the top floor, the walking distance to the next required hall gangway does not exceed 20 m (section 4.9.4).
  • Fire protection: the responsible ServicePartner installs a sprinkler system to protect the structure; in halls 4A, 7A and 11, smoke or differential heat detectors are used as an exception (section 4.9.2).

What limits apply to the hall floor and building fabric?

  • Building fabric: hall parts and technical equipment may not be drilled, nailed, screwed, glued or painted (section 4.7.3).
  • Floor: the hall floor may not be painted or glued; floor coverings are fixed only with adhesive tape that can be removed without a trace; floor anchors are not permitted (section 4.7.4).
  • Services: telephone, data and antenna connections are ordered from the responsible ServicePartner; a Wi-Fi network may be set up only with NürnbergMesse's written approval; stand security is ordered through the Online ExhibitorShop (OES), and only from the security company NürnbergMesse appoints (sections 3.1.3 and 2.5).

How do shipping and customs work on the grounds?

At NürnbergMesse, forwarding rights rest with the ServicePartners appointed for the grounds: delivering exhibits and stand structures to the stand, providing auxiliary equipment, and customs handling for temporary or permanent importation all fall under them. Exhibitors' own cranes and forklifts are not permitted (Technical Regulations, section 5.12). Orders placed with the forwarders are subject to the General German Forwarding Conditions (ADSp) and the NürnbergMesse forwarding tariff; NürnbergMesse is not liable for risks arising from the forwarders' work.

Containers, packaging and combustible materials may not be stored on stands, in gangways or in areas not approved for storage; the approved forwarders take empty containers to the storage area.

For items measuring more than 3.00 x 2.00 x 2.00 m or weighing more than 3.0 t, the responsible ServicePartner is notified and the item is registered on transITfair at least 10 days in advance (section 5.12.1). The list of ServicePartners and the instruction sheets are published on NürnbergMesse's guidelines page.

Is an appointment needed for a German fair visa?

Yes. According to the German Embassy in Ankara, fair visitors must make an appointment; stand-building staff need one as well, and the consulate accepts the application at an interview on the appointment date. Registration on the "business" waiting list through iDATA is requested for the visa (fair visa page).

As proof concerning the company that will exhibit, the Embassy page lists the exhibitor pass, the invoice showing the stand rent has been paid, and the fair's list of participants or a letter from the organiser. For staff assigned to build the stand, the contract signed between the exhibiting company and the company that will build or dismantle the stand is also requested. The visa fee exemption applies only to visas issued for the duration of the fair (build-up and dismantling included); a long-stay visa is charged.

Business Fast Track: According to a press release of the North Rhine-Westphalia state government dated 30 September 2026, this business-travel visa procedure opens from autumn 2026 to member companies of the Turkish-German Business Council (press release); the application is made by registering on the "Business Fast Track" waiting list through iDATA (Embassy page). This procedure is separate from the fair visa, and the fair visa page does not mention it.

How does the Ministry of Trade fair support work?

Under Article 7 of Decision No. 5973, the Ministry supports participation with a stand in fairs abroad (fair support); the covered fairs are in the support lists. The Circular defines two routes:

  • Fair organisation abroad: the Ministry's General Directorate of Exports sets the reviewing authority. The Circular uses "national participation organisation" for fairs where the General Secretariats of the exporters' associations (İBGS) are the organiser.
  • Individual participation: the İBGS the exhibitor belongs to concludes the application; if membership is not required, any İBGS.

On both routes the application is made through the Support Management System (DYS) within 3 months after the end of the fair; if the deadline is missed, the application file is not evaluated (Circular, Article 7). The ceilings change every year, so they are not given here.

Which tasks does Inside Exhibition carry out on the exhibitor's behalf at fairs abroad?

Inside Exhibition is an Istanbul-based company focused on the design, technical documentation and build of custom-designed exhibition stands; it has built a stand at Nürnberg. Build-up teams work on long-stay visas; the visas of the team assigned to each project are checked, and renewal is started in advance according to the expiry date. When something unplanned arises, Inside draws on subcontractors abroad for support.

Who handles the approval drawing, technical application and correspondence?

Where NürnbergMesse requires approval, Inside submits the drawings and technical applications to the organiser on the exhibitor's behalf and conducts the correspondence on stand infrastructure for the exhibitor. The German-language PDF format of the approval documents and the processing time follow the approval rules above. Inside also sends the team's documents and the stand's technical dimensions to the organiser's affiliated technical office and the occupational safety offices.

"Our products will be there one day before the fair; can your team receive them?"

Yes. Inside accepts the delivery of the products to be exhibited at the fair grounds; the exhibitor's representative does not have to be on site a day early just for this. Inside is not a carrier; at Nürnberg, delivery of exhibits to the stand rests solely with the appointed ServicePartner; the transport arrangements and the carrier's liability rest with the carrier and the exhibitor.

"Our forwarding company will collect the products after the fair closes; can your team hand them over?"

Yes, if the exhibitor wishes. At the end of the fair, the remaining products are handed by the Inside team to the representative of the forwarding company the exhibitor has agreed with. The handover documents are obtained and the moment of handover is photographed; the documents are passed to the exhibitor. Representatives do not have to wait at the grounds after the fair closes.

Which fairs are held at the grounds?

Fairs from many sectors are held at Messe Nürnberg; dates, tickets and conditions of participation are on each fair's own website. Fairs held at the grounds include:

What does a visitor need?

Tickets and registration are handled on each fair's own website; visitor hours vary from fair to fair. For travel and accommodation, see the sections above. The grounds have seven restaurants, nine bistros and three cafés in the entrance areas (halls and site). The grounds are accessible to wheelchair users; details are on NürnbergMesse's accessibility page.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you find the Messe Nürnberg hall plan?

On NürnbergMesse's Hallen & Gelände page, as a PDF; the page shows the 16 halls and 180,000 m² of gross indoor exhibition space.

How do you get to Messe Nürnberg?

From Hauptbahnhof, Underground line U1 reaches the Messe stop in about eight minutes; by car, the A3, A6, A9 and A73 motorways connect to the grounds. The official address is Messezentrum, 90471 Nürnberg.

Where do you find a hotel for Messe Nürnberg?

Nürnberg has about 9,000 rooms; NürnbergMesse offers a booking service at special rates through its partner hotel concept.

Who handles shipping at Messe Nürnberg?

Forwarding rights rest with the ServicePartners NürnbergMesse appoints; delivery of exhibits and stand structures to the stand and customs handling for temporary or permanent importation fall under them, and exhibitors' own cranes and forklifts are not permitted (Technical Regulations, section 5.12).

Can a two-storey stand be built at Messe Nürnberg, and how many kilograms can a suspension point carry?

A multi-storey stand needs NürnbergMesse's authorisation and is not possible in halls 10.1, 11.1 and 12.2 (section 4.9.1). The vertical load of a suspension point is 25 kg in halls 1 to 10 and 12, and 240 kg in halls 3A, 3C, 4A, 7A and 11 (section 4.7.5.1). A suspension point cannot be guaranteed in every area, and headroom is limited around the hall gates.

Is an appointment needed for a German fair visa?

Yes: fair visitors and stand-building staff need one (fair visa page).

For other grounds in Germany see the Messe Köln guide, the Messe Düsseldorf guide, the Messe Frankfurt guide, the Messe München guide, the Messe Stuttgart guide and the Hannover Messe guide; fairs in other countries and at other grounds are listed in the trade fair calendar.

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