Applying for a boat licence
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A river licence (permis fluvial) authorises its holder to navigate on internal waters on a pleasure boat, a sail boat, or a motor boat of up to 20 metres long, or on a jet-ski, jet-bike, or any other watercraft with similar speed and manoeuvrability.
A coastal licence (permis côtier) authorises its holder to pilot a pleasure boat of up to 7 metres long, with no habitable cabin, in maritime waters up to 3 nautical miles from the coast.
The coastal-plus licence (permis côtier plus) authorises its holder to pilot a pleasure boat of up to 20 metres long in maritime waters up to 6 nautical miles from the coast.
The open-sea licence (permis mer) authorises its holder to pilot a pleasure boat of up to 24 metres long in maritime waters without any limitations to the navigational area.
To obtain one of these boat licences, the candidate must pass written and practical tests after having completed training offered by an organisation accredited by the Minister in charge of Maritime Affairs. Depending on the type of practical test chosen, the open-sea licence will be valid for the 'sail and motor' category or simply the 'motor' category.
Who is concerned?
Any person who has reached the age of 16 and wishes to obtain a boat licence.
Parental authorisation is mandatory for minors.
Costs
Applicants for boat licences must pay a specific tax of EUR 48. The endorsement of a foreign boat licence costs EUR 36.
Renewing or replacing a boat licence, or the endorsement of a foreign boat licence, requires payment of a tax in the amount of EUR 24.
These taxes are paid using the adhesive tax stamp ('Droit de Chancellerie') provided by the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (Administration de l'enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA - AED).
The tax stamps can be replaced by paying by wire transfer to the account IBAN LU76 0019 5955 4404 7000 (BIC: BCEELULL) of the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (Diekirch Office – receipt) with the words 'Obtention permis de navigation' and the name of the applicant in the comments field.
In addition to these taxes, fees will be charged by the accredited organisations to prepare for the exam.
How to proceed
Applying for the licence
To obtain a boat licence, candidates must apply directly to one of the accredited training organisations, which are in charge of preparing applicants for the boat licence examination.
Applications must specify the applicant's last name, first name, date and place of birth, nationality, domicile and/or residence, as well as the category of licence applied for.
The following supporting documents must be attached:
- a medical certificate issued within the last 6 months certifying that the candidate has the necessary physical and mental aptitudes; a medical certificate issued for the purpose of obtaining a driving licence is considered valid;
- proof of payment of the special tax provided for by the related regulation;
- a recent passport photograph, in 45x35 mm format, on paper, full face at least 20 mm in height;
- a statement certifying that the applicant has passed the exam.
If the candidate applying for a boat licence is between 16 and 50 years old, the licence is valid until the age of 60. After 60 years of age, the licence may be renewed every 10 years.
Endorsement of a foreign boat licence
Pleasure-boat pilots holding a foreign boat licence must apply to the Luxembourg Maritime Administration to have their licence endorsed, thereby authorising the holder to pilot a boat flying the Luxembourg flag, within the limits of the foreign licence.
Special case: navigation on the Upper-Sûre Lake
Before piloting a boat on the Upper-Sûre Lake, an application must be filed with:
Ministère de l’Environnement, du Climat et de la Biodiversité
Département de l'environnement
4, place de l'Europe
L-1499 Luxembourg
The following documents should be included with the application:
- a photograph of the boat;
- a copy of the applicant's identity card;
- a copy of the bill of sale or sale contract for the boat.
The same form is used to report a change of address, the withdrawal of a boat from circulation, or a change in ownership.
Good to know
Interested parties who already own a recreational vessel can calculate the amount of registration tax due for that vessel using the online tool provided for that purpose.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
Luxembourg Maritime Administration
-
Luxembourg Maritime Administration
- Address:
- 3-5, rue Auguste Lumière L-1950 Luxembourg Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247-844 53
- Fax:
- (+352) 29 91 40
- Email address:
- cam@cam.etat.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
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Transports fluviaux
sur le Portail Transports
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Permis de navigation
sur le portail Maritime.lu
Legal references
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Loi du 23 septembre 1997
portant réglementation de la navigation de plaisance
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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
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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
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