Midnight on Sunday saw a brisk start to the last legal sale of consumer fireworks in the Netherlands ahead of the national ban in 2026.

Business was booming at the shops which opened at midnight, with long queues forming outside and punters who bought fireworks just across the border in Emmerich, Germany, had to wait over an hour to be served.

People who buy fireworks abroad are limited to 25 kilos, although some buyers went home with “a car load”, they told broadcaster NOS.

Traders saw a surge in orders earlier in December compared to other years because of the approaching ban, with turnover expected to top last year’s €118 million.

The ban is almost certain to go ahead in 2026 after the senate approved it earlier this year. How the ban is to be policed will be decided by the next cabinet, as well as the amount of compensation for traders.

The emergency services, local councils and some national politicians had long campaigned for an end to the sale of fireworks to consumers, apart from the very lightest type.

Every year the New Year is celebrated in the Netherlands in a firework frenzy resulting in lost limbs and eyes and millions of damage to private property.

Police have intercepted over 104 tonnes of fireworks so far, most of which are illegal in the Netherlands, and say they expect the final total to equal or beat last year’s 107 tonnes.

The Netherlands has called for a Europe-wide ban on powerful fireworks, which are increasingly being used as explosives in gangland and private disputes.