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Mandatory boat inspections by country: who needs one, how often and what it costs

Germany has no periodic inspection for private boats, but many countries do, mostly for boats on their own register. The map shows for each country who needs a mandatory inspection, how often, who carries it out and what it costs, each with an official source.

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12 countries with an official source. Tap a country or pick it from the list.

Germany
partly

Germany has no general roadworthiness-style test for private recreational boats. Mandatory inspections apply in three cases only: on Lake Constance, for vessels of 20 metres and more on federal waterways, and for boats that are hired out.

Private boats on inland and coastal waters
not mandatory

Who
Owners of private boats outside Lake Constance, under 20 metres and not hired out.
How often
No official periodic inspection. Equipment still has dates: auto-inflating life jackets, life rafts, flares and EPIRBs carry service or expiry dates set by the manufacturer.[1][2]

Lake Constance (Bodensee)
mandatory

Who
All motor boats from 2.50 metres hull length, and sailing boats with an engine or with sleeping, cooking or toilet facilities.
How often
Registration after an official survey, then a follow-up survey every three years. A special survey after major alterations or hull repairs.
Carried out by
The navigation office of the district (Bodenseekreis, Konstanz or Lindau), depending on where the boat is based.
What is checked
Fitness, operational safety and equipment, with the boat afloat. Since April 2022 there is no exhaust measurement: the engine must have been serviced within six months before the survey, confirmed in writing.
Cost
The fee depends on the type and size of the boat, mainly engine power, cabin and sail area. The Lindau district quotes a range of 20 to 10,000 euros for registration.
Without it
Without valid registration the boat may not be used. If defects are found, the authority can restrict or ban its use, and missing a survey can cost the registration.
Foreign flag
Registrations from the other shore states (Austria, Switzerland) are recognised.[3][4][5]

Vessels of 20 metres and more on federal waterways
mandatory

Who
Recreational craft of 20 metres length or more, or 100 cubic metres (length times beam times draught), on Germany's federal inland waterways.
How often
Union inland navigation certificate, valid for up to ten years, renewed after a periodic inspection.
Carried out by
Inspection body of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Agency.
What is checked
Construction, equipment and safety to the European ES-TRIN standard.
Cost
Charged by time, 73.51 euros per hour and inspector, plus 32.20 euros for the periodic inspection certificate.
Foreign flag
Foreign-flagged craft on a temporary visit need a certificate from their flag state. Certificates from other EU states are recognised under conditions.[6][7][8]

Boats for hire (charter)
mandatory

Who
Recreational boats hired out commercially, inland and on the coast.
How often
Inland: acceptance by a surveyor, valid ten years for new boats and up to ten years for older ones. Coast: boat certificate valid two years, extended by two years after a survey.
What is checked
Construction and equipment, fire extinguishers with test dates and, if fitted, the LPG system with a test certificate to DVGW G 608.
Cost
Boat certificate from BG Verkehr 99.60 euros, surveys by time at 119.70 euros per hour.[1][2][9]
Austria
mandatory

Who
Boats that need registration, including all boats with a combustion engine and electric boats from 4.4 kW.
How often
Registration is time-limited: ten years from the build year for the first registration of a CE boat under 20 metres, then up to seven years per renewal after a fitness inspection, five years for hire and training boats. LPG systems every two years.
Carried out by
The provincial navigation authority.
Cost
Example Lower Austria: 79.40 euros for a renewal, 118.60 euros if the certificate has already expired.
Without it
The registration lapses when it expires.[10][11][12][13]
Switzerland
mandatory

Who
All boats with a Swiss boat licence on Swiss waters, Lake Constance included.
How often
Motor boats every three years, boats without an engine every six years, hire boats every two years. Private boats also need an exhaust check every three years.
Carried out by
The navigation authority of the canton where the boat is kept, exhaust checks by an authorised workshop.
Cost
Set by each canton, mostly by time: Zug 174 francs per hour, Lucerne 150 francs per inspector and hour.
Foreign flag
Boats based abroad need a Swiss boat licence and Swiss numbers, except boats under 2.50 metres, paddle and beach craft. Lucerne charges 100 francs for a temporary licence including the check.[14][15][16][17][18]
Spain
mandatory

Who
Recreational boats registered in Spain from 6 metres, private (list 7) and commercial (list 6). Private boats under 6 metres are exempt.
How often
ITB (periodic survey) at least every five years, plus an intermediate survey in year two or three for commercial boats, private boats from 15 metres and private wooden boats from 6 metres.
Carried out by
Inspection bodies authorised by the maritime administration, such as Applus or Apave.
What is checked
Hull out of the water, engine, electrics, tanks, rigging and all mandatory equipment with its test and expiry dates.
Cost
Each inspection body sets its own price and reports its rates to the administration. There is no official price list.
Without it
Sailing with an expired navigability certificate is a serious offence.
Foreign flag
No ITB: the rules only cover boats registered in Spain.[19][20]
Italy
mandatory

Who
Boats entered in the Italian register (imbarcazioni and navi). Small unregistered craft (natanti) have no safety certificate.
How often
The first safety certificate is valid eight years (design category A and B) or ten years (C and D) from registration, then it is renewed every five years.
Carried out by
A notified or authorised technical body chosen by the owner.
Cost
Official renewal fee 17.76 euros, plus the inspection body's charge.
Foreign flag
Since 2026 foreign-flagged boats up to 24 metres also need proof of safety, but only if they belong to Italian nationals or companies based in Italy.[21][22][23][24]
Croatia
partly

Who
Boats on the Croatian register. Private boats over 7 metres or 15 kW if they have a toilet, gas galley, inboard engine, fixed petrol tank or overnight accommodation.
How often
Every five years for private use, every two years for commercial use, with a first inspection before registration.
Carried out by
Harbour master's office, for yachts the Croatian Register of Shipping.
Foreign flag
The duty is tied to the Croatian register.[25]
Slovenia
mandatory

Who
Boats on the Slovenian register.
How often
Every five years for private use. The navigation permit is valid until the next inspection and must be kept on board.
Carried out by
Up to 12 metres the Slovenian Maritime Administration or a classification society, above that a classification society.[26]
Portugal
mandatory

Who
Recreational boats registered in Portugal.
How often
Every ten years. Every five years for boats over 24 metres, wooden hulls over 12 metres and boats registered for more than 20 years.
Carried out by
The maritime authority (DGRM or AMN) or approved partner bodies.
Without it
Fines of 300 to 3,000 euros for private individuals.[27]
France
not mandatory

Who
Private recreational boats.
How often
No mandatory inspection. In 2022 the French maritime ministry stated that it does not plan a periodic technical inspection for pleasure craft.[28]
United Kingdom
partly

Who
Boats with an engine, gas, heating, cooker, toilet or electrics on canals and rivers run by navigation authorities such as the Canal & River Trust. It does not apply at sea.
How often
Boat Safety Scheme examination every four years. New production boats are exempt for their first four years.
Carried out by
Registered BSS examiners.
Cost
The examiner sets the price. The scheme charges examiners 76 pounds plus VAT per certificate.
Without it
No certificate, no licence for the waterways.[29][30]
USA
not mandatory

Who
Private recreational boats.
How often
No mandatory inspection. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a free, voluntary Vessel Safety Check with a decal for boats that pass.[31]
Canada
not mandatory

Who
Private recreational boats.
How often
No mandatory inspection. The Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check is free and voluntary, with no penalties for defects found.[32]

This overview is not legal advice. The competent authority decides each individual case.

What an inspection abroad means for a visiting boat

Almost everywhere, the duty is tied to the national register. The Spanish ITB only covers boats registered in Spain, the Italian safety certificate only boats on the Italian register.[19][21]

There are exceptions: Switzerland requires a Swiss boat licence for boats based abroad, and since 2026 Italy checks foreign-flagged boats whose owners are based in Italy.[18][24]

Anyone who moves a boat to another flag for good takes on that country's inspection duty. It belongs in the decision about register and flag.

Why a valid inspection matters for your hull insurance

Many hull policies exclude damage caused by a boat that was unseaworthy from the start, by poor maintenance or by breaking official rules. Check how your own policy words this.

What usually counts is whether the damage was caused by the defect, not the date on the certificate. A tested gas system and a serviced engine are more than paperwork.

Common questions about boat inspections

Does my boat need an inspection in Germany?

Not as a rule. Private boats in Germany have no general periodic inspection. The exceptions are Lake Constance with a survey every three years, vessels of 20 metres and more on federal waterways, and boats for hire.

Do I need an ITB for a foreign boat in Spain?

No. The ITB only applies to boats registered in Spain. Once a boat is registered there, boats from 6 metres need a survey at least every five years.

How often are boats inspected in Switzerland?

Motor boats every three years, boats without an engine every six years and hire boats every two years. Private boats also need an exhaust check every three years.

What does a Boat Safety Scheme examination cost?

The examiner sets the price, so it pays to compare. The scheme itself charges examiners 76 pounds plus VAT per certificate.

Is there an inspection for private boats in the USA?

No, but the Coast Guard Auxiliary offers a free, voluntary Vessel Safety Check. Boats that pass get a decal.

Boat safety check planner Boat papers checklist Boat registration worldwide

All sources (32)

Information as of 8 November 2026. All sources were accessed on that day.