Depending on the route you take, the German boating license costs between €200 and €1,000 – a wide range (the full 2026 cost overview breaks down every item in detail). The exam fees are the same for everyone, but there’s plenty to save on theory preparation and practical training. Here are the five tips that make the biggest difference.
What does the SBF cost in total?
Before we get to the saving tips, here’s the current cost breakdown for 2026:
| Item | SBF Inland | SBF Coastal | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (DMYV) | €130.78 | €148.38 | €178.61 |
| Theory preparation | €0–400 | €0–400 | €0–450 |
| Practical training | €50–150 | €50–200 | €80–250 |
| Medical certificate | €30–65 | €30–65 | €30–65 |
| Passport photo | €5–15 | €5–15 | €5–15 |
| Total | €200–650 | €220–700 | €280–770 |
The biggest variable cost is theory preparation – and that’s exactly where the savings potential lies.
Tip 1: Combined exam instead of two separate exams
If you’ll need both licenses in the long run (or think you might), take the combined Inland + Coastal exam on a single day.
The math:
- Separately: €130.78 (Inland) + €148.38 (Coastal) = €279.16
- Combined: €178.61
- Savings: around €100 on exam fees alone
On top of that: the 72 basic questions are identical for both licenses. You learn them once instead of twice – which saves time, too.
Tip 2: Learn theory with an app instead of a boating school
By far the biggest lever. A theory course at a boating school costs between €250 and €400. A learning app with the complete official ELWIS question catalog costs a fraction of that.
| Method | Theory cost |
|---|---|
| In-person course (weekend) | €250–400 |
| Online video course | €40–100 |
| Learning app (e.g. Boatpass) | €7–12 |
Savings with an app vs. in-person course: €240–390
The key point: the exam is always the same – no matter how you prepared. With an app you learn exactly the questions that come up in the exam, because the question catalog is public.
A theory course is not mandatory. Anyone who can study with discipline doesn’t need one.
Tip 3: Book practical lessons separately
Most boating schools offer packages of theory + practice. If you learn the theory yourself, you only need the practical training separately.
Individual practical lessons cost between €50 and €150 – significantly less than a complete package. For the practical exam you need:
- Casting off and coming alongside
- Turning in a confined space
- Man-overboard maneuver
- Demonstrating knots (6 mandatory knots)
Many candidates manage with 1–2 practical lessons, especially if they already have experience on the water (e.g. as a passenger).
Tip 4: Pass on the first attempt
Sounds obvious – but a retake means paying fees all over again:
| Retake | Cost |
|---|---|
| Theory again | approx. €37–49 |
| Practice again | approx. €57–75 |
| Additional practice lessons | €50–150 |
Failing quickly costs an extra €100–200. Targeted studying with exam simulation and mistake training is the best investment to avoid this.
The SBF failure rate is just 10–15% in the theory exam – with good preparation you’ll pass the first time.
Tip 5: Compare providers – especially for the practical part
The exam fees are the same everywhere (set by DMYV/DSV). But the practical training varies considerably by region and provider:
- Big cities (Hamburg, Berlin, Munich): more expensive
- Rural areas and coastal locations: often cheaper
- Some boating schools offer single practice lessons, others only packages
Compare at least 2–3 providers in your region before you book.
Cost example: the cheapest route to the SBF Coastal
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boatpass app (full access SBF Coastal) | €9.99 |
| Medical certificate + eye test | approx. €30 |
| Passport photo | approx. €10 |
| 1 practice lesson at a local boating school | approx. €80 |
| Exam fee SBF Coastal | €148.38 |
| Total | approx. €280 |
That’s less than half of what a complete course at a boating school costs.
What you shouldn’t skimp on
Practice lessons
Too few practice lessons is false economy. Anyone who fails the practical exam pays the exam fee again (€57–75) plus additional practice lessons. One extra lesson beforehand is cheaper than a second attempt.
Navigation tools (for SBF Coastal)
For the navigation task you need a course plotter and dividers. Cheap sets often perform poorly on the nautical chart. Invest in usable equipment – it only costs €10–20 and you’ll need it in the exam too.
Conclusion
The German boating license doesn’t have to cost €700. If you learn the theory with an app, use the combined exam, and book the practical part separately, you’ll get through for €275–400 – and you’ll have passed the exact same exam as someone who paid double.