Germany clarifies private nudity rules and arrests exhibitionist in Hamburg

In Germany there is no law that bans nudity inside a private home. Authorities may intervene only when the nudity is visible from public spaces such as streets, schools, kindergartens, hospitals or playgrounds. In such cases the offender can be ordered to use curtains or blinds and, if the act is sexual or deliberately causes public annoyance, it may be punishable under the Criminal Code §§ 183 (exhibitionistic acts) and 183a (public annoyance), with fines or imprisonment. The Frankfurt Higher Regional Court recently ruled that a naked landlord does not constitute a rental defect.

On 10 July 2026 a 28‑year‑old Eritrean man was arrested at the S‑Bahn station Sülldorf in Hamburg after allegedly masturbating in view of two women from a platform shelter. He fled on an S1 train, was later detained at Othmarschen station, and was charged with “Erregung öffentlichen Ärgernisses” under § 183a. Police took a DNA sample, released him from custody and the case is under investigation.