Sailing and Boating in Zürich

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Sailing and Boating in Zürich

Sailing and other water sports, are very popular on Lake Zürich, which is also known as the Zuerichsee.

Safety Information

When a Permit is Required

In Switzerland, there are two types of sailing permit: one for sailing on the sea under the Swiss flag; and one for sailing on inland waters. A person applying for a sea permit (Hochseeausweis) must already hold an inland waters permit (Schifffuehrerschein).

A sailing permit or licence (Schifffuehrerschein) is not needed to sail the following vessels:

• row boats
• boats with sails smaller than 15m2
• motor boats with a maximum power of 6 Kw (minimum age 14 to pilot the boat)

Permit Categories

Note: the following information applies to recreational (not professional skipper) permits only.

Permits fall into the following categories:

• A: motor boats with a minimum power of 6 Kw (8.16 CV)
• D: sail boats with more than 15m2 of sails
• D1: sail boats with a motor with a minimum power of 6 Kw (8.16 CV)

Obtaining a Permit

Inland waters permit 

Applications for an inland waters permit can be made at the Road Traffic Office (Strassenverkehrsamt) local to the applicant's place of residence. The exam must be taken in the same canton. The minimum age for obtaining a sail boat licence is 14, for motor boats the minimum age is 18.

The applicant must register and pay in advance for the permit. They may register for the theory and only one practical exam. If they fail the practical exam, an additional fee will have to be paid. 

The followings documents are required on application:

• proof of identity
• one colour passport photograph

• completed application form; for Zürich, the form can be downloaded: Click here and select Anmeldung zur Zulassung eines Schiffes

• registration fee

Once the application form has been submitted, candidates must take the theory test within the next 12 months. The practical test must be taken within 18 months of the theory test. A medical certificate is required for candidates 65 years of age and over. Exams can be taken in French, German or Italian, and an official translator can accompany the person taking the exam.

Sea licence

The applicant must have a lake/inland waters permit before applying for a sea permit (Hochseeausweis). All sea permits are issued by the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (Schweizerisches Seeschifffahrtsamt). Foreign sailing permits cannot be exchanged for a sea permit.  

To obtain a sea permit, the applicant must: 

• provide their inland waters sailing permit
• pass a theory exam on regulations, the weather, use of maps and tide calculations
• submit proof of having completed at least 1,000 miles of sailing (sail boat) or 500 miles of sailing (motor boat)
• have a valid first aid certificate
• have an eye test certificate
• For more information on obtaining a sea permit: Click here (in German)

Swiss Offshore Yachting (Cruising Club Suisse - CCS) organises lessons and registration for the sea permit.

• CCS 
  At: Marktgasse 9, 3000 Berne 7
  Tel: 031 310 11 00
  Fax: 031 310 11 09
  e-mail
  Website

Registering a Boat or Yacht

Registration is not required for the following boats:

• kayaks, canoes and pedal boats
• motor boats up to 2.5m in length
• windsurfers

Boats are registered at the local Road Traffic Office (Strassenverkehrsamt).

The following documents are required:

• registration form (available from the local Road Traffic Office)
• proof of insurance (except for row boats and boats with less than 15m2 of sails)
• proof of identity (passport or residence permit)
• Certificate of Conformity 94/25 CE (new boats only)
• proof of tax payment for imported boats
• sailing permit

All motor boats must undergo a service as well as emissions testing every three years.

• For further information, see the Road Traffic Office website: Click here (in German)

Zürich Yacht Clubs and Associations

• For a list of sailing and yacht clubs in Zürich: Click here (in German)

Contact Information, Road Traffic Offices

Canton of Zürich

• Strassenverkehrsamt Zürich (Albisgütli) 
  At: Uetlibergstrasse 301, 8036 Zürich
  Tel: 058 811 30 00
  Open: Monday, Tuesday 07:15-17:00, Wednesday to Friday 07:15-16:00
  e-mail
  Website
• Strassenverkehrsamt Winterthur 
  At: Taggenbergstrasse 1, 8408 Winterthur
  Tel: 058 811 20 00
  Open: Monday, Tuesday 07:15-17:00, Wednesday to Friday 07:15-16:00
  e-mail
  Website 

Canton of Lucerne

• Strassenverkehrsamt des Kantons Luzerns
  At: Arsenalstrasse 45, 6110 Kriens
  Tel: 041 318 18 22
  Open: Monday to Thursday 07:30-11:30 and 13:00-16:30, Friday 08:00-16:30
  Website

Canton of Zug

• Strassenverkehrsamt Zug
  At: Hinterbergstrasse 41, 6312 Steinhausen
  Tel: 041 728 47 11 
  e-mail
  Website

Canton of Basel

• Motorfahrzeugkontrolle des Kantons Basel-Stadt
  At: Clarastrasse 38, 4005 Basel
  Tel: 061 267 82 00
  Open: Monday 07:30-16:00, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 07:30-12:00 and 13:30-16:00, Thursday 07:30-12:00 and 13:30-18:00
  e-mail
  Website

Canton of Berne

• Strassenverkehrs- und Schifffahrtsamt
  At: Schermenweg 5, 3001 Berne
  Tel: 031 634 21 11
  Fax: 031 634 26 81
  Open: Monday to Friday from 07:30-16:00
  e-mail
  Website

Related Information

• For a small glossary of German-English sailing terms from Sail-the-Net: Click here
• Swiss Maritime Navigation Office
• Information about sailing in and around Switzerland from Search4Sailing: Click here