Sailing & Boating in Netherlands
Sailing and boating are popular activities in the Netherlands which has one of the highest per capita ownership of boats in the world. Find out how to register a boat in Holland, the Dutch license required to operate a watercraft and more…
With a 450-km North Sea coastline and numerous inland lakes, rivers and canals, it is not surprising that sailing and boating are popular leisure activities for the Dutch. 1 in every 32 people in the Netherlands owns a boat.
BOAT REGISTRATION IN HOLLAND
Before a motorboat, watercraft or jet ski (which can travel faster than 20 kph) can be operated on waterways in the Netherlands, it must be registered with the Dutch department of motor vehicles (RDW). If the watercraft is already registered in Germany, Belgium or the United Kingdom, it does not need to be re-registered in the Netherlands.
To register a boat the first time, go to the RDW website and submit the pre-registration form with the requested details about the watercraft. The data required includes:
- Take a clear photo of hull and engine number
- Rompnummer (the hull number, also known also the WIN or CIN)
- Bouwjaar (construction year)
- Vessel color, name and dimensions
- Type of Motor
- Vermogen (power)
- Motornummer (engine number)
- Registratieteken (registration mark)
- Document Number
Once submitted, you will receive an email with a link to the submitted application. Either print a hard copy or save the form to your mobile phone. Take it to a local RDW office or inspection location, along with valid ID and a way to pay the registration fee (currently €55.90 for the first watercraft). If you want to register the boat in the name of your business, you will need to also bring a copy of the business extract from the KvK (chamber of commerce) issued within the past 12 months.
Within five business days you will either receive your boat registration document with the registration mark (which must be affixed to both sides of the watercraft) OR you will be notified your application has been rejected. In the event it is rejected, the application fee is not refundable.
NOTE: During the high season (May – September) processing times can be up to 3 weeks.
The boat registration must always be carried when out boating.
MAKING CHANGES TO A BOAT REGISTRATION
Any changes to a watercraft must be documented in the boat’s registration. This is done by submitting a registration change form to the RDW. The process is similar to the one above, but when visiting the RDW, you must also bring the current registration document. The current fee for a registration change is €15.55.
In the event you do not have it, you must first apply for a replacement registration document before you can make a change.
TERMINATION OF BOAT REGISTRATION
If the watercraft is disposed of, sold to someone in another country or sold to a person in the Netherlands who fails to register it under their own name, you must request to have the current registration terminated. This is done by submitting a signed letter explaining the reason for ending the registration and providing the watercraft’s registration mark, make and type of vessel and date of sale (if applicable). The original/current registration document must be included. Send the request to: RDW, unit APR – Vaartuigen, Postbus 30000, 9640RA Veendam
DUTCH BOATING & SAILING LICENSES
You do not need a license to operate a leisure boat or marine craft smaller than 15 meters on Dutch inland waterways unless it is equipped with a motor enabling it to travel faster than 20 kilometers per hour. A license is required for boats longer than 15 meters…
- A Dutch small-vessel sailing license (‘klein vaarbewijs‘), or the international equivalent, is required if the watercraft:
– is longer than 15 meters
– is shorter than 15 meters but capable of speeds in excess of 20 kph (includes jet skis)
– is used for commercial activities and between 15-20 meters in length - A Dutch large-vessel sailing license (‘groot pleziervaartbewijs‘), or the international equivalent, is required if the vessel is 25-40 meters in length.
Since 01 January 2020, CBR is the organization which handles exams and issues sailing licenses in the Netherlands.
DUTCH BOATING SPEED LIMITS
Open waterways and large lakes, such as the Ijsselmeer, do not have set speed limits. Most smaller waterways and canals have speed limits ranging from 5-9 knots per hour.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS IN THE NETHERLANDS
Inland emergencies – Tel: 112
Sea emergencies – Tel: 0900 0111 (Dutch Coast Guard)
DUTCH SAILING ASSOCIATION
The KNWV (Royal Dutch Watersports Association) advocates for some 400 Dutch watersports clubs and its 80,000 registered members, establishes and maintains the national standards within each water sport, offers training for athletes at the top tier and sanctions sailing and boating competitions across the Netherlands.
On its website you can find:
The ANWB sells detailed maps of Dutch waterways by region.
Related information…