Applying for a boating licence
Last update
The Luxembourg boating licence is issued in accordance with Resolution No. 40 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and bears the phrase 'Certificat international de conducteur de bateau de plaisance / International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft' (ICC certificate).
There are 4 categories of boating licence.
The river licence authorises its holder to operate a pleasure craft of up to 20 metres in length on inland waters, rivers, lakes, etc.
The coastal licence authorises its holder to operate a pleasure craft of up to 7 metres in length, without a habitable cabin, in coastal waters up to 3 miles from the coast.
The coastal licence plus authorises its holder to operate a pleasure craft of up to 20 metres in length in coastal waters up to 6 miles from the coast.
The open sea licence ('sail and motor' or 'motor' only) authorises its holder to operate a pleasure craft of a maximum length of 24 metres, in maritime waters, with no navigation zone restriction.
A pleasure craft is a boat, ship, sailboat, jet-ski, rowboat, etc. intended for navigation on inland and/or maritime waters.
To operate a pleasure craft over 24 metres long, a professional certificate issued in accordance with the STCW Convention is required.
To obtain a Luxembourg boating licence, you must:
- follow a training course given by an organisation accredited by the Ministry of the Economy; and
- pass the theory and practical tests.
Who is concerned
Anyone aged 16 and over wishing to obtain a boating licence.
Parental authorisation is mandatory for minors.
Costs
You must pay:
- a fee of EUR 48 for an application to obtain a boating licence;
- a fee of EUR 24 for the renewal or duplicate of a boating licence.
These fees must be paid:
- by bank transfer to the account IBAN LU76 0019 5955 4404 7000 (BIC: BCEELULL) of the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority, Civil Registry Office Diekirch, mentioning 'Permis de navigation' and your name; or
- through the purchase of tax stamps provided by the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority.
You can find out about the cost of preparatory courses for the theory and practical tests from the accredited organisations concerned.
How to proceed
Applying for a boating licence
To apply for a boating licence, you need to contact one of the organisations responsible for preparing for the Luxembourg boating licence examination.
This organisation will:
- prepare you for the boating licence exam; and
- forward your application (see 'Online services and forms') to the Luxembourg Maritime Administration.
Only the organisations listed below are officially approved by the Ministry of the Economy and can provide information about course sessions and exam registration:
- Groupe Luxembourgeois de Croisières et de Régates asbl (GLCR);
- Luxembourg Waterski and Wakeboard Federation asbl (LWWF);
- Motor Yacht Club Luxembourg asbl;
- Skipper Club Luxembourg asbl;
- Yacht Crew Luxembourg asbl.
Mandatory documents
You must include the following supporting documents with your application for a boating licence:
- a medical certificate of fitness less than 12 months old (the medical certificate issued to obtain a driving licence is recognised as valid);
- proof of payment of the fee;
- a recent photograph (45x35 mm format);
- a certificate of successful completion of the theory and practical tests.
Duration of validity
A boating licence issued to the holder:
- between 16 and 50 years of age is valid until the age of 60. After the age of 60, the licence must be renewed every 10 years;
- after the age of 50 is valid for a duration of 10 years. Thereafter it must be renewed every 10 years.
Renewal
2 months before the licence expires, you will receive a letter containing all the information needed to renew your licence.
Good to know
A Luxembourg boating licence or a Luxembourg endorsement of a foreign certificate is compulsory to operate a boat registered in the public register of pleasure craft flying the Luxembourg flag.
Recognition of a foreign boating licence
If you hold a foreign boating licence, you can obtain a Luxembourg endorsement of your foreign licence. This endorsement authorises you to operate a pleasure craft flying the Luxembourg flag within the limits of the foreign licence.
In the event of an inspection, you must present both documents:
- the foreign licence; and
- the Luxembourg endorsement of the licence.
Please note: the Luxembourg endorsement is not the equivalent of a Luxembourg boating licence.
Operating a boat on the Upper Sûre lake
For any information about navigation on the lake in Esch-sur-Sûre, please contact the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
-
Luxembourg Maritime Administration (CAM)
- Address:
- 3-5, rue Auguste Lumière L-1950 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 84 453
- Fax:
- (+352) 29 91 40
- Email address:
- cam@cam.etat.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Transports fluviaux
sur le Portail Transports
-
Permis de navigation
sur le portail Maritime.lu
Legal references
-
Loi du 23 septembre 1997
portant réglementation de la navigation de plaisance
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 8 octobre 2009
relatif à l’exécution de la loi du 23 septembre 1997 portant réglementation de la navigation de plaisance
-
Règlement grand-ducal du 8 mars 2017
modifiant le règlement grand-ducal du 8 octobre 2009 relatif à l’exécution de la loi du 23 septembre 1997 portant réglementation de la navigation de plaisance et portant modification de certaines autres dispositions légales et modifiant l’article 8 du règlement grand-ducal du 20 mars 1967 concernant l’exécution de l’article 54, nos 2 et 3 de la loi du 14 juillet 1966 sur l’immatriculation des bateaux de navigation intérieure et l’hypothèque fluviale
