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Boating schools in Austria
In short
Inland waters need a licence from 4.4 kW. For the Adriatic, Austria issues the coastal certificates FB1 to FB4.
When a certificate is required
Craft above 4.4 kW of propulsion on inland waters and waterways. At sea the coastal certificate applies, graded by range.
Duration and minimum age
One or two weekends per certificate; the FB2 coastal certificate is typically two days of theory plus the examination. Usually 18 for the 10 m certificate; separate limits apply to some waters and to sailing craft.
What a course costs
Around 300 to 600 euros per certificate. The Croatian coastal certificate through Austrian schools starts at about 160 euros.
Who issues the certificate
Federal Ministry for Climate Action and Mobility, examined by authorised bodies, www.bmk.gv.at
Finding a school
Where the boating schools in Austria are listed
No list of single schools, it dates within a season. We name the bodies that keep the registers.
National sailing body
Österreichischer Segel-Verband
Sailing schools and training centres of the regional federations, with examination dates.
www.segelverband.atNational motorboat body
Österreichischer Motorbootsport Verband
Clubs and schools teaching powerboating.
www.motorbootverband.atWater sports training association
VDWS International
Centres on the lakes, with powerboat and catamaran licences.
www.vdws.deThe certificates
What each certificate covers
Schiffsführerpatent 10 m
Craft up to 10 metres on inland waters and waterways
Schiffsführerpatent 20 m
Craft up to 20 metres on inland waters, but not on waterways
Küstenpatent FB1
Range of 3 nautical miles, craft up to 10 metres
Küstenpatent FB2
Range of 20 nautical miles, craft up to 24 metres
Küstenpatent FB3
Range of 200 nautical miles, craft up to 24 metres
Küstenpatent FB4
Worldwide
Context
How training works in Austria
Austria separates inland from sea cleanly, and that shapes its schools. Around the Salzkammergut lakes and the Neusiedler See sit schools teaching the 10 and 20 metre certificates, often from the same pontoons as the sailing clubs. In Vienna, Graz and Linz sit the coastal certificate schools, training people who will never take a boat out in Austria at all, but in Croatia.
That is the Austrian speciality. The coastal certificates FB1 to FB4 travel well and need little classroom time, which is why Germans and Swiss come to Vienna for them. Check that the radio ticket is in the package: without a VHF certificate the finest coastal certificate is no use at the charter base.
Recognition, charter, cover
What the certificate means outside the classroom
Recognition abroad
The FB2 with a radio ticket is treated in Croatia as equivalent to the category B coastal certificate. German certificates are recognised for visitors; residents need the Austrian one.
What the charter base asks for
Adriatic bases expect FB2 or above together with a radio ticket. A certificate for Lake Attersee will not get you aboard in Croatia.
All countries at a glanceWhat matters for cover
We insure boats whose owner or flag is in Austria. The helmsman needs the certificate his waters require, otherwise cover is open to argument after a claim.
All countries at a glanceQuestions and answers
Common questions about boating in Austria
Which Austrian certificate do I need?
On inland waters from 4.4 kW the 10 m or 20 m certificate; for the Adriatic the coastal certificate graded by range, in practice FB2 with 20 nautical miles.
Is my German certificate valid in Austria?
As a visitor, yes. Anyone resident in Austria needs the Austrian certificate.
Is FB2 enough for Croatia?
With a radio ticket, yes: it counts there as equivalent to the category B coastal certificate. Without one the base will not hand over the yacht.
Last reviewed: 27 September 2026. The authority of the country you boat in has the final word.
We insure boats whose owner or flag is in Germany, Austria or Spain.
Other countries
Do you run a boating school?
A training boat runs commercially, with a liable instructor: that needs its own arrangement.
