All Licenses

Which license
fits you?

Inland waters or coast, motorboat or radio on board – find the right license here and everything you need to know to prepare.

Free finder
Not sure which licence you need?
Answer 3 questions – instantly find the right licence and matching radio certificate.
Start finder →

Sportbootführerschein (SBF)

With Boatpass you learn the complete theory – the detail pages explain each license in depth.

SBF Inland
Rivers, canals & lakes
The boating license for inland waters – rivers, canals and lakes. Required for motorboats above 15 HP.
Learn more →
SBF Coastal
North & Baltic Sea
The license for coastal waters of the North and Baltic Sea. Its own exam with a navigation task.
Learn more →
SBF Costs
Fees & saving tips
Exam fees, courses and practice at a glance – and how to save money while studying.
Learn more →
Exam & Process
Theory & practice
How the theory and practical exams work, how to register and what counts on exam day.
Learn more →
UBI
VHF radio (inland)
The VHF radio certificate for inland navigation – now a module in the app, a one-time €7.99.
Learn more →
SRC
Marine radio (coastal)
Short Range Certificate – VHF marine radio with DSC for the coastal area. A module in the app, one-time €7.99.
Learn more →
LRC
Marine radio (worldwide)
Long Range Certificate – the general operator's certificate for worldwide marine radio. A module in the app, one-time €9.99.
Learn more →

What is a radio certificate?

A radio certificate is the official qualification required to operate marine or inland radio equipment on board – unlike the boating license itself, it's only needed if a radio is actually installed on board. Germany has three radio certificates: the UBI for VHF radio on inland waterways, the SRC for coastal VHF marine radio with DSC, and the LRC for worldwide marine radio, including MF/HF and satellite communication.

Coming soon

We're working on more catalogs – special licenses like the Lake Constance licence are on the way.

soon
Lake Constance Licence
Mandatory licence for Lake Constance.

Frequently asked questions about boating licenses

Which boating license do I need?

It depends on the waters and engine power: for rivers, canals and lakes above 15 HP you need the SBF Inland, for the North and Baltic Sea coast the SBF Coastal. If there's a radio on board, UBI, SRC or LRC may also apply depending on the area. The free finder above shows you the right combination in 3 questions.

How much does a boating license cost?

The official exam fees in 2026 are €130.78 for the SBF Inland and €148.38 for the SBF Coastal. A full preparation course usually adds €500–650 per license; learning the theory yourself – for example with Boatpass at €9.99 per catalog – saves most of that.

Do I have to take a course for the boating license?

No, a course isn't required for the theory exam. The official ELWIS question catalog is freely available, so you can study on your own – for example with an app like Boatpass. For the practical exam, some hands-on practice on the water is still a good idea.

Do I also need a radio certificate?

Only if there is a radio on board: UBI covers inland waters, SRC covers short-range coastal radio, and LRC covers worldwide marine radio. Without a radio on board, no additional certificate is required.

Can I operate a boat without a license at all?

Yes, a charter certificate lets you operate a rented boat without an SBF on designated inland waters such as the Mecklenburg Lake District. Boats up to 15 HP can also be operated with no license at all.

Further reading

→ Requirements for a German boating license → Recreational Boating License Reform 2026: what's changing and what stays the same → SBF Inland vs. SBF Coastal – what's the difference? → Motorboat or sailboat – which SBF is right for you? → UBI vs. SRC – which radio certificate do I need? → Renting a boat without a license: the charter certificate → Sports Coastal Skipper's License (SKS): the next stage after the SBF Coastal

Ready for your exam?

Download BoatPass for free and start studying with the official question catalog today.

Free on Google Play