SBF Binnen, motor limits and the charter certificate
1The lesson in plain words
On boats under 20 m, you need the SBF Binnen above 11.03 kW combustion or 7.5 kW electric. Sail and charter rules depend on the waters.
Engines
On federal inland waterways, a pleasure boat under 20 m needs the motor entitlement on the SBF Binnen (inland sport-boat licence) if the engine’s maximum power is over 11.03 kW (15 metric hp/PS, combustion) or 7.5 kW (electric, continuous rating). At or under those values the boat is licence-free, but the minimum helm age is normally 16; the restricted youth exception starts at 12. The test is the engine fitted, not whether it runs.
Sail
Under the SpFV (Germany’s pleasure-craft licensing rules), a sailing licence is required only on listed Berlin-area waterways. These include Wannsee, Tegeler See and Müggelsee in Berlin, and Griebnitzsee and Kleinmachnower See in Brandenburg. Sail-only boats with at most 6 m² need no sail licence. A fitted engine can independently require motor entitlement. Windsurf boards need no sail licence. Minimum licence ages: 16 for motor, 14 for sail.
The Rhine since 2023
Until 2023 the Rhine had stricter rules: a licence from 3.68 kW and only boats under 15 m. Since 1 April 2023 the Rhine follows the same thresholds as other federal waterways, and the SBF Binnen covers boats under 20 m there. The SBF Binnen does not cover boats of 20 m or more.
Charter certificate
A hire firm may let you drive a boat under 15 m without a licence on a Charterbescheinigung (charter certificate). It works only on listed waters, such as the Mecklenburg lakes and many Brandenburg waterways. The boat must have fixed berths and have its maximum speed limited to 12 km/h in still water. You get at least three hours of briefing, and no driving at night or in poor visibility. It is not a licence: it covers that boat, those waters and those dates.
Visitors
If you live outside Germany and visit for no more than a year, check your country of residence. If it officially requires a certificate for that boat, or applies UNECE Resolution 40, carry the relevant national certificate or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) valid for inland waters and your propulsion. Resolution 40 is the international framework for the ICC. Otherwise this visitor exemption requires no German licence.
2Key data
- Licence-free engine
- Up to 11.03 kW combustion or 7.5 kW electric, boat under 20 m
- Minimum licence age
- 16 for engine, 14 for sail
- Sail licence needed
- SpFV: listed Berlin-area waters, sail-only boats over 6 m² of sail
- Charter certificate
- Boat under 15 m; 12 km/h in still water; listed waters; ≥ 3 h briefing
- Rhine aligned
- Same thresholds since 1 April 2023
3Key points
- 1
SBF Binnen needed above 11.03 kW (combustion) or 7.5 kW (electric) on boats under 20 m.
- 2
SpFV: sail licence on listed Berlin-area waters; sail-only ≤ 6 m² exempt. A fitted engine can require motor entitlement.
- 3
Since 1 April 2023 the Rhine uses the same thresholds as other federal waterways.
- 4
Charter certificate: hire boat under 15 m, maximum 12 km/h in still water, listed waters, daytime only.
- 5
Visitors living abroad, up to a year: check residence and Resolution 40 rules; certificates must cover inland use and propulsion.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The charter certificate is a licence I can use on my own boat later.
Right: It covers only the hired boat, the listed waters and the dates on it. It is not a licence.
Wrong: On the Rhine any boat over 5 hp needs a licence.
Right: That was the rule until 2023. Since 1 April 2023 the Rhine uses the same 11.03 kW and 7.5 kW thresholds as other federal waterways.
5Practice case & exam keys
A family from Hamburg, none with a licence, wants a week on the Müritz in a 12 m houseboat from a charter base, then a day on the Wannsee in a hired 6 m sailing boat with 10 m² of sail. What can they do?
Show the answer
Hire only if the firm confirms berths, a maximum speed of 12 km/h in still water and charter-certificate cover for your route. Complete at least three hours of briefing; travel by day in good visibility. Ask the firm to explain every route and weather restriction before booking. On Wannsee, the 10 m² sailing boat needs a skipper with SBF Binnen sail entitlement; check any fitted engine separately.
Exam keys
- SpFV § 3 and § 5: SBF Binnen above 11.03 kW / 7.5 kW, boats under 20 m.
- SpFV § 5(2) and Anlage 8: sail licence on listed Berlin-area waters; § 2(3): sail-only craft ≤ 6 m² excluded; a fitted engine can require motor entitlement.
- SpFV § 6: ages 16 (engine), 14 (sail).
- BinSch-SportbootVermV § 9: charter certificate, boat < 15 m, maximum 12 km/h in still water, listed waters, ≥ 3 h briefing.
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