Getting started in boating

In Germany, you need a licence for boats above a certain size or with a certain engine power. In Germany, boats under 15 metres in length with an engine power of up to 15 hp (7.5 kW for electric motors) may be operated without a licence. By the way: since 1 April 2023, the standard rule that motorboats with an engine power of up to 15 hp may be operated without a licence has also applied on the Rhine and the Danube.

The length of 20 metres must not be exceeded. The minimum age for driving motorboats without a licence is 16. Children and young people under the age of 16 may operate boats up to 5 hp in lakes under supervision.

Even when boating without a licence, the same rule applies: you can’t do it without preparation. Anyone taking to the water should familiarise themselves in advance with local conditions and regulations and possess basic practical and theoretical knowledge. This is because there are clear traffic rules, signage and safety regulations on the water too, which must be strictly observed. Being exempt from the licence requirement therefore in no way relieves you of the responsibility to inform yourself thoroughly.

• You need a recreational boat licence for international waters.
• A recreational boat licence for inland waters (SBF See) is required on coastal waters and certain rivers, such as the Lower Weser, the Elbe as far as Hamburg, and the Kiel Canal.
• Lake Constance: Motorboats and sailing boats fitted with an engine may only be operated without a licence if they have an engine output of 6 hp or less.
• Certain sections of the Spree-Oder waterway may not be navigated without a licence.

• Sailing on an inland waterway without a licence: €250 to €5,000
• Driving a vehicle, operating a flotation device or manoeuvring a convoy without being qualified to do so: a minimum of 300 euros; for each hour or part thereof of operational time
• Exceeding the 0.5 per mille limit: €350 to €2,500
• Failure to adjust speed to road conditions: €250 to €1,500

From small inflatable boats for leisurely trips to cabin boats that can even be used for overnight trips – there’s a wide range of options, even among boats that don’t require a licence.

Prices for motorised inflatable boats and cabin boats start at around €5,000. You can find a selection of boats that don’t require a licence every January at boot Düsseldorf.

Even when it comes to boating without a licence, the same rule applies: you can’t do it without preparation. Anyone heading out onto the water should familiarise themselves with local conditions and regulations in advance and have a basic understanding of both practical and theoretical knowledge. After all, there are clear traffic rules, signage and safety regulations on the water too, which must be strictly observed. Being exempt from holding a licence therefore in no way relieves you of the responsibility to inform yourself thoroughly.

For novice boaters, nothing stands in the way of enjoying boating right from the start. The range of possibilities is vast. Nevertheless, there are some important rules you should know before setting off in a motorboat. Here you will find the most important basic rules for recreational boating.