GermanyWhat can I do about excessive noise from my neighbor?
You can demand the neighbor stop the noise (under BGB § 1004), but you must tolerate customary noise unless it materially impairs your property use — and you may claim monetary compensation if tolerated noise exceeds reasonable limits.
What the Law Says
German law balances your right to quiet enjoyment of your property with your neighbor’s right to ordinary use of theirs. Two key provisions govern noise disputes: § 906 BGB defines when interference must be tolerated, and § 1004 BGB gives you tools to stop or remedy intolerable interference.
Under BGB § 906, you generally must tolerate noise from a neighboring property — such as sound from household activities, music, or appliances — if it is 'customary for the locality' (ortsüblich) and does not materially impair your use of your property. This includes noise that stays within legally defined limits (e.g., those set by the Federal Immission Control Act or technical guidelines reflecting the state of the art).
If the noise exceeds what is customary or causes more than minor impairment — for example, preventing sleep, concentration, or normal home use — then tolerance is no longer required. In such cases, § 1004 BGB allows you to demand cessation (Beseitigung) or, if further noise is expected, an injunction (Unterlassung). However, this claim is blocked if you are legally obligated to tolerate the interference under § 906.
Importantly, even if you *must* tolerate the noise under § 906, you may still claim 'appropriate monetary compensation' (angemessenen Ausgleich in Geld) if the interference harms your property’s use or yield beyond what is reasonable.
Statutory TextDer Eigentümer eines Grundstücks kann die Zuführung von Gasen, Dämpfen, Gerüchen, Rauch, Ruß, Wärme, Geräusch, Erschütterungen und ähnliche von einem anderen Grundstück ausgehende Einwirkungen insoweit nicht verbieten, als die Einwirkung die Benutzung seines Grundstücks nicht oder nur unwesentlich beeinträchtigt.
— BGB § 906 (1) — German Civil Code
Statutory TextWird das Eigentum in anderer Weise als durch Entziehung oder Vorenthaltung des Besitzes beeinträchtigt, so kann der Eigentümer von dem Störer die Beseitigung der Beeinträchtigung verlangen. Sind weitere Beeinträchtigungen zu besorgen, so kann der Eigentümer auf Unterlassung klagen.
— BGB § 1004 (1) — German Civil Code
What Courts Have Said
German courts apply § 906 strictly, focusing on local customs and objective impact — not personal sensitivity — to determine whether noise must be tolerated.
The court held that noise from a neighbor’s regular evening music use was not automatically tolerable: if it exceeds what is customary in the area and materially impairs the plaintiff’s residential use (e.g., disrupting sleep or work-from-home), it qualifies as actionable interference under § 906 and triggers remedies under § 1004.
What to Do
Document the noise (times, duration, type) and its impact (e.g., inability to sleep, work, or relax).
Speak calmly with your neighbor first — many disputes resolve informally.
If unresolved, send a written request (ideally via registered mail) asking them to reduce the noise and citing § 1004 BGB.
If noise persists and meets the threshold for non-tolerance (customary + material impairment), consult a lawyer to issue a formal cease-and-desist letter or file a claim for injunction or compensation.
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Related Questions
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.