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Switzerland

Who issues it
Kantonales Schifffahrtsamt [cantonal navigation office] of residence for inland licences; Schweizerische Rheinhäfen [Swiss Rhine Ports] for Rhine certificates; Cruising Club der Schweiz (CCS) [Cruising Club of Switzerland] and Swiss Yachting Association (SYA), authorised by Schweizerisches Seeschifffahrtsamt (SSA) [Swiss Maritime Navigation Office], for ocean certificates.
Minimum age
14 years
Collision rules
Kollisionsverhütungsregeln

Do you need a licence?

You need a licence for an ordinary inland boat above 6 kW or 15 square metres of sail.

You don't need one for:

  • an ordinary inland boat up to 6 kW and 15 square metres of sail

Lake Constance uses 4.4 kW and 12 square metres, Lake Geneva uses 10 PS, and Rhine rules vary. The minimum age is 14 for low-power motorboats and category D, and 18 for category A; Swiss seagoing yachts need a recognised certificate.

  1. Schiffsführerausweis Kategorie D · Category D sailing licence

    From 14
    What it lets you do
    You can sail inland. It is normally required above 15 square metres of sail, or 12 square metres on Constance.
    How you get it
    For your first licence, you answer 60 questions in 50 minutes and may have no more than 15 error points out of 180. You also take a practical sailing test.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  2. Schiffsführerausweis Kategorie A, beschränkt auf Segelschiffe · Category A restricted to sailing boats

    From 18
    What it lets you do
    You can operate sailing boats under motor. Your sailing entitlement is separate.
    How you get it
    For your first licence, you answer 60 questions in 50 minutes and may have no more than 15 error points out of 180. You also take a practical test on a sailing boat.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  3. Schiffsführerausweis Kategorie A · Category A motorboat licence

    From 18
    What it lets you do
    You can operate inland motorboats. It is normally required above 6 kW, although border-water rules differ.
    How you get it
    For your first licence, you answer 60 questions in 50 minutes and may have no more than 15 error points out of 180. You also take a practical motorboat test.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  4. Schiffsführerausweis Kategorie E · Category E special-construction craft licence

    From 20
    What it lets you do
    You can operate inland craft of special construction.
    How you get it
    You take theory and practical tests.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  5. Erweiterung des Geltungsbereiches: Rheinprüfung · Stein am Rhein–Schaffhausen endorsement

    What it lets you do
    This adds the Rhine stretch from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen to your inland licence.
    How you get it
    In Thurgau, you answer 30 multiple-choice questions and need 28 correct to pass. You also take an additional practical test on the river.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  6. Amtliche Radarfahrtberechtigung · Official radar navigation authorisation

    What it lets you do
    You can navigate by radar in poor visibility at speeds above what visibility allows, but only on the waters examined and subject to border-water rules.
    How you get it
    You complete training and theory and practical tests. Your instructor must hold an official radar patent.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  7. Amtliches Radarpatent · Official radar patent

    What it lets you do
    You can navigate by radar in poor visibility at speeds above what visibility allows across Swiss waters, subject to border-water rules.
    How you get it
    You complete an approved training course and theory and practical tests at a BAV-recognised organisation.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  8. Sportpatent · Rhine recreational craft patent

    From 18
    What it lets you do
    You can operate recreational craft under 25 metres on the Rhine. Below 20 metres, a national inland certificate can be enough.
    How you get it
    You take theory and practical tests; the practical can use an approved simulator.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  9. Besondere Berechtigung für Radarfahrten · Rhine radar endorsement

    What it lets you do
    This adds radar-navigation rights to your skipper certificate.
    How you get it
    You take theory and practical tests; the practical can use an approved simulator.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  10. Besondere Berechtigung für das Befahren von Binnenwasserstraßen mit maritimem Charakter · Rhine maritime-waterway endorsement

    What it lets you do
    This is an additional authorisation for Rhine waterways designated as having maritime character.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  11. Besondere Berechtigung für Binnenwasserstraßenabschnitte mit besonderen Risiken · Rhine special-risk waterway endorsement

    What it lets you do
    This is an additional authorisation for designated Rhine stretches with special risks.
    How you get it
    You need route experience and a test of your knowledge of the relevant stretch.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  12. Besondere Berechtigung Stadtstrecke Basel · Basel city-reach endorsement

    What it lets you do
    This is an additional route authorisation for the Basel city reach, issued by Schweizerische Rheinhäfen.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  13. Hochseeausweis für Segelschiffe mit oder ohne Maschinenantrieb · Ocean sailing yacht certificate

    From 16
    What it lets you do
    You can sail yachts on coastal waters and the high seas with no geographical limit. You need a prior sailing qualification.
    How you get it
    For the first issue, you take written theory and need 75% of the points in each subject, plus signed practical skills. You also need 3 weeks and 18 sea days, covering 1,000 nautical miles, or 700 after the theory.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  14. Hochseeausweis für Motorschiffe · Ocean motor yacht certificate

    From 16
    What it lets you do
    You can operate motor yachts on coastal waters and the high seas with no geographical limit. You need a prior motor qualification.
    How you get it
    For the first issue, you take written theory and need 75% of the points in each subject, plus signed practical skills. You also need 2 weeks and 10 sea days, covering 500 nautical miles, or 400 after the theory.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  15. Internationales Zertifikat für das Führen von Vergnügungsschiffen (ICC) · International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

    What it lets you do
    You can use this abroad on the basis of a Swiss licence; the coastal endorsement needs the Swiss ocean certificate.
    How you get it
    It is issued on the basis of an existing Swiss qualification.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  16. Anerkennung anderer Schifferpatente (Bodensee) · Temporary Lake Constance licence recognition

    What it lets you do
    An eligible shore-state licence or ICC is recognised for 30 days in each calendar year. It excludes the Rhine above Schaffhausen.
    How you get it
    It is based on an eligible existing certificate, and the authority confirms the valid dates.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

More exam guides

  1. Schiffsführerausweis Schweiz – Kategorien A und D

    Kantonale Schifffahrtsämter

    Mit Kategorie A darfst du Motorboote führen; die Kategorien B und C gehören nicht dazu. Mit Kategorie D darfst du Segelboote führen. Auf Schweizer Binnengewässern brauchst du grundsätzlich einen Ausweis, wenn die Motorleistung über 6 kW oder die eingetragene Segelfläche über 15 m² liegt; auf Grenzgewässern können zusätzliche Regeln gelten.

    Read the guide (in German)

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Official sources: Bundesamt für Verkehr (BAV) — Freizeitschifffahrt · Kantonspolizei Thurgau — Erwerb des Schiffsführerausweises, November 2025 · Schweizerisches Seeschifffahrtsamt (SSA) — Hochseeausweis-Verordnung, articles 1–7 and annexes 1–2 · Zentralkommission für die Rheinschifffahrt — 2026 RheinSchPersV and current implementing lists · Bundesamt für Kommunikation (BAKOM) — Überblick GMDSS · Bundesamt für Verkehr (BAV) — Vorschriften, Ausweise für die Radarfahrt