Where am I allowed to paddle?
Also: navigation rights, paddling ban
In Germany, paddling on public waters is generally allowed, but there are important exceptions and special rules.
According to the Packrafting Store, water sports are generally permitted on public waters under German and EU law. Exceptions apply, for example, to drinking water and nature reserves, marked areas such as parks or special hazard situations. Many rivers also have seasonal closures, for example during the breeding season, or minimum water levels.
Special regulations apply on federal waterways, including a labelling requirement for boats.
Tip: before every trip, check the current rules with the responsible authority, the regional canoe federation or apps like Canua.
Sources and further reading
Research as of 13 Nov 2026. We have marked manufacturer information as such.