Living on a houseboat involves many things. Here you can read all about the legal conditions and what you need to consider.
Conditions for living on a houseboat
- You must apply for a waterways permit.
- You must have these certificates and attestations:
- A medical certificate by a licensed physician.
- A qualification certificate from Schipper.
- A Specific Permit Maritime Nature, after examination at the Flemish Waterway.
- A steering license (also called a boating license), after examination at a recognized federation.
- Your ship must have these things:
- Insurance (civil liability and fire).
- A certificate of measurement with the details of your vessel.
- A unique European vessel identification number.
- A service booklet you purchased from the Inland Navigation Office.
- An oil release book that you purchased at the shipping store.
- A barge certificate that you applied for at the Inland Navigation Office.
- A radio electrical equipment license (if applicable) with BIPT.
What should you consider if you live on a houseboat?
- You must have your boat inspected in a dry dock every 5 years.
- You may dock a maximum of 1 dinghy in front of or behind the vessel.
- You have to pay a deposit for your mooring in most cases.
- You are not allowed to swim everywhere. Check where you are allowed to swim at qualityswimmingwater.be.
- There are fewer and fewer and fewer moorings available. There is a waiting list for most moorings.
- You may not “privatize” adjacent quays. You may not put a terrace or a bike rack on it unless you have a loan agreement with the municipality.
Applying for a waterways permit
A waterways permit is a digital permit. You apply for the permit online through VisuRIS:
Step 1: Create a VisuRIS account
- Surf to visuris.be/register.
- Select “Pleasure boating.”
- Fill in all requested information.
- Open your mailbox and open the email with the confirmation link.
- Tip: You can register the boat under an organization under the step “Enter organization information here.” Then you will receive an invoice at your company. Is this not necessary? Then skip the step.
VisuRIS instructional video of step 1:
Step 2: Apply for the permit through the VisuRIS account
- Sign in with the account you just created through this page on VisuRIS.
- Click on “Purchase waterways permit.”
- Fill in all requested information about your vessel. Keep your ship’s registration letter handy. This shows the hull length and identification number of your ship. You will need this when applying.
- Indicate the period for which you want to request this. Tip: The longer the period, the cheaper the rate per day is.
- Don’t forget to check that it is about your own vehicle.
- Check the renewal reminder checkbox. Then you will receive an email to 7 calendar days before expiration.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Order Now.”
- You will automatically go to your shopping cart in the payment page.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Proceed to payment.”
- Select the correct payment address or add a new address.
- Complete the payment.
Note: If you enter information incorrectly in your permit application, it will result in large fines. VisuRIS instructional video of step 2:
Popular houseboat moorings in Belgium and the Netherlands
Belgium (sorted alphabetically by municipal name A-Z):
- Antwerp Marina: Thonetlaan 133, 2050 Antwerp
- Royal Scarphout Yacht Club Blankenberge: Havenplein 1, 8370 Blankenberge
- Yacht Club Flandria Bruges: Bargeweg 17, 8000 Bruges
- Yacht Club Anseremme: Av. Amand de Mendieta 60, 5500 Dinant
- Port des Yachts: Bd Frère – Orban, 4000 Liège
- Zilvermeerhaven Port Aventura: Zilvermeerlaan 9, 2400 Mol
- Flemish Marina Nieuwpoort: Watersportlaan 11, 8620 Nieuwpoort
- Marina Kanne: Trekweg Opcanne 6, 3770 Riemst
Netherlands (sorted alphabetically by municipal name A-Z):
- Marina Andijk: Nieuwe Haven 1, 1619 JW Andijk
- Jachthaven Bergen Op Zoom: Vermuidenweg 2, 4612 PK Bergen op Zoom
- Marina Blauwestad: Redersplein 6, 9685 AW Blauwestad
- Marina Breskens: Oosthavendam 3, 4511 AZ Breskens
- Brouwershaven Marina: Nieuwe Jachthaven 12, 4318 AR Brouwershaven
- Cadzand Marina: Maritiem Plaza 2, 4506 KZ Cadzand
- Colijnsplaat marina: Jachthavenweg 3, 4486 CZ Colijnsplaat
- Jachthaven Biesbosch: Nieuwe Jachthaven 20, 4924 BA Drimmelen
- Compagnieshaven Enkhuizen: Compagnieshaven 7, 1601 ZA Enkhuizen
- Oosterhaven Marina: Oosterkade 1001, 9711 RS Groningen
- Marina Grou: Meersweg 9A, 9001 BG Grou
- Marina Marina Hellevoetsluis: Westzanddijk 71, 3221 AW Hellevoetsluis
- Gemeentehaven Hoorn: Hoofd 2a, 1621 AM Hoorn, Netherlands
- Katwijk Marina: Haringkade 6, 2224 RA Katwijk aan Zee
- Delta Marina: Veerdam 3, 4484 NV Kortgene
- Marina Wetterwille: Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk 171, 1231 LV Loosdrecht
- Marken Haven: Haven 1156, 1156 AM Marken
- Middelburg Marina: Rouaansekaai 138, 4331 HE Middelburg
- Marina Naarden: Onderwal 4 (visiting address, 1411 LV Naarden
- Marina Marina Port Zelande: Kabbelaarsbank 5.01, 3253 ME Ouddorp
- Port Spakenburg: Oude Schans 90, 3752 AH Bunschoten-Spakenburg
- Termunterzijl Marina: Plankpad 7, 9948 PK Termunterzijl
- Terneuzen Marina: Scheldeboulevard 3, 4531 EJ Terneuzen
- Jachtclub Veere: Kaai 14, 4351 AA Veere
- Jachthaven Michiel de Ruijterhaven: De Ruyterplein 1, 4381 BZ Vlissingen
- Haven Volendam: Haven 43, 1131 EP Volendam
- Wartena Marina: Bùtenstreek 3, 9003 MC Warten
- Wemeldinge Marina: Sluisplateau 31, 4424 BK Wemeldinge
- Port West-Terschelling: Willem Barentszkade 16, 8881 BC West-Terschelling
- Binnen Haven Wijk bij Duurstede: 3961 AA Wijk bij Duurstede
Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use:
Stiasteny, L. (2024, November 5). Living on a houseboat according to legislation. Apartment.be. Consulted on (date XX/XX/202X), from https://www.appartement.be/wonen-op-een-woonboot-volgens-wetgeving/
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