How long does a wind turbine permit take?
In short: The statutory deadline is 3 or 7 months — reality is considerably longer. Simplified procedure 4–8 months, formal procedure with EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) 18–30 months. The actual bottleneck is almost always the breeding-bird survey, which requires at least one full season.
Procedure types and realistic duration
| Procedure | Statutory deadline | Realistic |
|---|---|---|
| Simplified (§ 19, 1–19 turbines) | 3 months | 4–8 months |
| Formal (§ 10, from 20 turbines / protected area) | 7 months | 18–30 months |
Which procedure applies to your project is determined by the BImSchG pre-assessment (preliminary check).
Why does it take so long? The time-critical path
The statutory deadline only starts once the application is complete. Until the application is complete, all mandatory expert reports must be in place — and that takes time:
- Breeding-bird survey: 6–10 field visits March–August = at least one full season, often two
- Bat survey: April–October
- Noise, shadow flicker, LBP (landscape management plan), visualisation: 2–4 months in parallel
- Structural stability + subsoil: 1–3 months
If you start the bird survey in May, you will have the first robust data no earlier than August of the following year.
Typical overall process (phases)
- Site check: 1–3 months
- Turbine type + land lease: 3–6 months
- Expert reports (breeding birds critical): 6–12 months
- BImSchG application procedure: 4–18 months
- Construction + commissioning: 8–14 months
From project start to an operating turbine: realistically 2–3 years. Details in the repowering process.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the authority exceeds the deadline?
The deadlines are target deadlines (Soll-Fristen). In the case of substantial overrun, the applicant can file an action for failure to act (Untätigkeitsklage, § 75 VwGO) — rarely used in practice.
Can I start construction before the permit is granted?
No. Only after the BImSchG permit has been issued. However, some components (the turbines) are ordered in advance because of long lead times.
How long is the permit valid?
As a rule, construction must begin within 3 years, otherwise the permit lapses. With an EEG award, the additional 30-month deadline until commissioning also applies.
Duration of a wind turbine permit – procedure types, time-critical path and acceleration