Outboards without a licence? What applies up to 15 hp in Germany

Many of our motors deliberately sit at or below 15 hp – for a good reason: on many German waters you may operate boats up to this power without a recreational boating licence (Sportbootführerschein). But the rule is not the same everywhere. This guide puts it in context. It is not legal advice – the rules of your specific waters always take precedence.

The basic rule

On most inland waters and in the German coastal waters (North and Baltic Sea), no recreational boating licence is required up to 15 hp (11.03 kW) of drive power. Above that you generally need the Sportbootführerschein Binnen (inland) or See (sea).

This is exactly why our Tohatsu line stops at 15 hp: you get the maximum licence-free power without having to take an exam.

The important exceptions

The 15 hp limit is widespread but not seamless. Watch out for:

• Lake Constance (Bodensee) – its own legal regime applies. For motorboats you usually need the Bodensee boating permit, even below 15 hp.
• The Rhine – special rules apply on the Rhine; check before you set off.
• Regional rules – individual lakes, nature reserves and waterways may ban motorboats entirely, cap power or require registration.
• Registration and insurance – licence-free does not mean rule-free: depending on the water you need a boat registration, and liability insurance is strongly recommended (sometimes mandatory).

What counts: hp or kW?

What matters is the rated power in kW. 15 hp equals roughly 11.03 kW. When buying, check the manufacturer's kW figure – it is listed in the technical data on every product page.

Electric motors

The power limit in kW also applies to electric outboards. Our ePropulsion models are well below it and are therefore licence-free on most waters – here too, regional exceptions apply.

When in doubt: check briefly

Before you set off, check the rules of your specific waters (waterways authority, state regulation or local notices). For questions about the right motor power, our buying advisor or our team on WhatsApp will help.