Knives Out: Why Knives Have to Stay Outside

In short: The ban on knives and weapons

Since 1 May 2025, knives covered by the Weapons Act are banned in the BVG under our user regulations. With the new comprehensive ban on knives and weapons, it is, as of 17 July 2025, prohibited to carry knives and any other weapons on all Berlin S-Bahns, U-Bahns, buses, and trams. The new ban therefore creates an additional legal basis and is more comprehensive. Berlin’s Senate and police aim to reduce violent crime with this measure. The ban covers not only all kinds of knives but also blank-firing guns, irritant sprays (commercially available pepper sprays labelled “For animal defence only” are excluded), and flare guns. The prohibited items are not only banned on our vehicles but also in our buildings and on our platforms. Violations can result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros.

Who will enforce the ban?

Our colleagues in passenger service and security are prepared to recognise potentially dangerous situations and act accordinly. The safety of all passengers is our utmost priority. If someone is seen carrying or handling a knife, the police and BVG security personnel will be informed immediately. Only the police are authorised to conduct bag checks and search individuals, and they can now also do so without concrete grounds of suspicion.

Important: Should you ever find yourself in a situation where you do not feel safe or feel threatened, whether it’s due to someone wielding a knife, weapon, or any other reason, you can always get help at the push of a button using our emergency call and pillar.

I work as a chef – am I no longer allowed to carry my kitchen knives?

Don’t worry, there are exceptions for certain professions who need to carry knives due to their work. This includes people working for the police, the fire brigade, or in hospitality. A newly purchased knife is also not banned, provided it is still packaged. A knife may also be carried as part of equipment for sport or hunting; here, you should of course observe all regulations under the Weapons Act. In all these cases, the knife must be transported securely packaged.

My friend’s birthday is coming up and I have to bring cake along with a knife for it – what now?

Of course, we’d prefer it if you just left the cake knife at home. But if it’s absolutely unavoidable, the knife must be transported securely packaged, so that it is not readily accessible. “Not readily accessible” means that you need to do more than three actions to access the knife. In this case, that means you cannot simply carry a cake knife loose in a tote bag; it must be additionally secured.