{"id":6637,"date":"2024-11-05T15:56:44","date_gmt":"2024-11-05T13:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/living-on-a-houseboat-according-to-legislation\/"},"modified":"2024-11-05T15:56:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T13:56:44","slug":"living-on-a-houseboat-according-to-legislation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/living-on-a-houseboat-according-to-legislation\/","title":{"rendered":"Living on a houseboat according to legislation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Living on a houseboat involves many things. Here you can read all about the legal conditions and what you need to consider. <\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Conditions for living on a houseboat<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>You must apply for a waterways permit.<\/li>\n<li>You must have these certificates and attestations:\n<ul>\n<li>A medical certificate by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visuris.be\/Medischeverklaring#:~:text=Via%20deze%20link,vindt%20u%20hier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">licensed physician<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>A qualification certificate from Schipper.<\/li>\n<li>A Specific Permit Maritime Nature, after examination at the Flemish Waterway.<\/li>\n<li>A steering license (also called a boating license), after examination at a <a href=\"https:\/\/mobilit.belgium.be\/nl\/scheepvaart\/pleziervaart\/bestuurder\/overzicht-brevetten\/beperkt-en-algemeen-stuurbrevet#:~:text=Lijst%20met%20erkende%20federaties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">recognized federation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Your ship must have these things:\n<ul>\n<li>Insurance (civil liability and fire).<\/li>\n<li>A certificate of measurement with the details of your vessel.<\/li>\n<li>A unique European vessel identification number.<\/li>\n<li>A service booklet you purchased from the Inland Navigation Office.<\/li>\n<li>An oil release book that you purchased at the shipping store.<\/li>\n<li>A barge certificate that you applied for at the Inland Navigation Office.<\/li>\n<li>A radio electrical equipment license (if applicable) with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bipt.be\/consumenten\/maritiem\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BIPT<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4143\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4143\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4143 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Living on a houseboat_ boat docked at wharf\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-boot-aangemeerd-aan-kade.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4143\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image: houseboat at the dock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What should you consider if you live on a houseboat?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>You must have your boat inspected in a dry dock every 5 years.<\/li>\n<li>You may dock a maximum of 1 dinghy in front of or behind the vessel.<\/li>\n<li>You have to pay a deposit for your mooring in most cases.<\/li>\n<li>You are not allowed to swim everywhere. Check where you are allowed to swim at <a href=\"https:\/\/kwaliteitzwemwater.be\/nl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">qualityswimmingwater.be<\/a>. <\/li>\n<li>There are fewer and fewer and fewer moorings available. There is a waiting list for most moorings. <\/li>\n<li>You may not &#8220;privatize&#8221; adjacent quays. You may not put a terrace or a bike rack on it unless you have a loan agreement with the municipality. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4145\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4145\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4145 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Living on a houseboat_ interior cockpit\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-interieur-cockpit.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4145\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image: houseboat cockpit interior<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Applying for a waterways permit<\/h2>\n<p>  A waterways permit is a digital permit. You apply for the permit online through VisuRIS:   <\/p>\n<h3>Step 1: Create a VisuRIS account<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Surf to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visuris.be\/registreer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">visuris.be\/register<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Select &#8220;Pleasure boating.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Fill in all requested information.<\/li>\n<li>Open your mailbox and open the email with the confirmation link.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tip:<\/strong> You can register the boat under an organization under the step &#8220;Enter organization information here.&#8221; Then you will receive an invoice at your company. Is this not necessary? Then skip the step.   <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;  VisuRIS instructional video of step 1:  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/msr3zqfarR0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\"><\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Apply for the permit through the VisuRIS account<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Sign in with the account you just created through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visuris.be\/default.aspx?path=Mijn%20RIS\/MijnWaterwegenvergunningen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this page on VisuRIS<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Click on &#8220;Purchase waterways permit.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Fill in all requested information about your vessel. Keep your ship&#8217;s registration letter handy. This shows the hull length and identification number of your ship. You will need this when applying.   <\/li>\n<li>Indicate the period for which you want to request this. <strong>Tip:<\/strong> The longer the period, the cheaper the rate per day is.<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t forget to check that it is about your own vehicle.<\/li>\n<li>Check the renewal reminder checkbox. Then you will receive an email to 7 calendar days before expiration. <\/li>\n<li>Agree to the terms and conditions and click &#8220;Order Now.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>You will automatically go to your shopping cart in the payment page.<\/li>\n<li>Agree to the terms and conditions and click &#8220;Proceed to payment.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Select the correct payment address or add a new address.<\/li>\n<li>Complete the payment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note: <\/strong>If you enter information incorrectly in your permit application, it will result in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visuris.be\/boetecatalogus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">large fines<\/a>. <strong>VisuRIS instructional video of step 2:<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PDa4eur-ayU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\"><\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Popular houseboat moorings in Belgium and the Netherlands<\/h2>\n<p>  Belgium (sorted alphabetically by municipal name A-Z):  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Antwerp Marina: Thonetlaan 133, 2050 Antwerp<\/li>\n<li>Royal Scarphout Yacht Club Blankenberge: Havenplein 1, 8370 Blankenberge<\/li>\n<li>Yacht Club Flandria Bruges: Bargeweg 17, 8000 Bruges<\/li>\n<li>Yacht Club Anseremme: Av. Amand de Mendieta 60, 5500 Dinant <\/li>\n<li>Port des Yachts: Bd Fr\u00e8re &#8211; Orban, 4000 Li\u00e8ge<\/li>\n<li>Zilvermeerhaven Port Aventura: Zilvermeerlaan 9, 2400 Mol<\/li>\n<li>Flemish Marina Nieuwpoort: Watersportlaan 11, 8620 Nieuwpoort<\/li>\n<li>Marina Kanne: Trekweg Opcanne 6, 3770 Riemst<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;  Netherlands (sorted alphabetically by municipal name A-Z):  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marina Andijk: Nieuwe Haven 1, 1619 JW Andijk<\/li>\n<li>Jachthaven Bergen Op Zoom: Vermuidenweg 2, 4612 PK Bergen op Zoom<\/li>\n<li>Marina Blauwestad: Redersplein 6, 9685 AW Blauwestad<\/li>\n<li>Marina Breskens: Oosthavendam 3, 4511 AZ Breskens<\/li>\n<li>Brouwershaven Marina: Nieuwe Jachthaven 12, 4318 AR Brouwershaven<\/li>\n<li>Cadzand Marina: Maritiem Plaza 2, 4506 KZ Cadzand<\/li>\n<li>Colijnsplaat marina: Jachthavenweg 3, 4486 CZ Colijnsplaat<\/li>\n<li>Jachthaven Biesbosch: Nieuwe Jachthaven 20, 4924 BA Drimmelen<\/li>\n<li>Compagnieshaven Enkhuizen: Compagnieshaven 7, 1601 ZA Enkhuizen<\/li>\n<li>Oosterhaven Marina: Oosterkade 1001, 9711 RS Groningen<\/li>\n<li>Marina Grou: Meersweg 9A, 9001 BG Grou<\/li>\n<li>Marina Marina Hellevoetsluis: Westzanddijk 71, 3221 AW Hellevoetsluis<\/li>\n<li>Gemeentehaven Hoorn: Hoofd 2a, 1621 AM Hoorn, Netherlands<\/li>\n<li>Katwijk Marina: Haringkade 6, 2224 RA Katwijk aan Zee<\/li>\n<li>Delta Marina: Veerdam 3, 4484 NV Kortgene<\/li>\n<li>Marina Wetterwille: Oud-Loosdrechtsedijk 171, 1231 LV Loosdrecht<\/li>\n<li>Marken Haven: Haven 1156, 1156 AM Marken<\/li>\n<li>Middelburg Marina: Rouaansekaai 138, 4331 HE Middelburg<\/li>\n<li>Marina Naarden: Onderwal 4 (visiting address, 1411 LV Naarden<\/li>\n<li>Marina Marina Port Zelande: Kabbelaarsbank 5.01, 3253 ME Ouddorp<\/li>\n<li>Port Spakenburg: Oude Schans 90, 3752 AH Bunschoten-Spakenburg<\/li>\n<li>Termunterzijl Marina: Plankpad 7, 9948 PK Termunterzijl<\/li>\n<li>Terneuzen Marina: Scheldeboulevard 3, 4531 EJ Terneuzen<\/li>\n<li>Jachtclub Veere: Kaai 14, 4351 AA Veere<\/li>\n<li>Jachthaven Michiel de Ruijterhaven: De Ruyterplein 1, 4381 BZ Vlissingen<\/li>\n<li>Haven Volendam: Haven 43, 1131 EP Volendam<\/li>\n<li>Wartena Marina: B\u00f9tenstreek 3, 9003 MC Warten<\/li>\n<li>Wemeldinge Marina: Sluisplateau 31, 4424 BK Wemeldinge<\/li>\n<li>Port West-Terschelling: Willem Barentszkade 16, 8881 BC West-Terschelling<\/li>\n<li>Binnen Haven Wijk bij Duurstede: 3961 AA Wijk bij Duurstede<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p> <figure id=\"attachment_4144\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4144\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4144 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Living on a houseboat_ docks with houseboats\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Wonen-op-een-woonboot_-dokken-met-woonboten.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4144\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image: Houseboats on the docks<\/figcaption><\/figure>&nbsp; Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/strafvastgoed.be\/blog\/frederik-en-katrien-wonen-op-een-woonboot-zicht-op-het-water-was-erg-belangrijk-voor-ons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Straf Vastgoed<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visuris.be\/Waterwegenvergunning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VisuRIS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vlaamsewaterweg.be\/woonboten\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flemish Waterway<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vlaanderen.be\/binnenvaart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flanders<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zimmo.be\/blog\/2022\/02\/23\/wonen-op-een-boot-kan-dat-zomaar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Zimmo<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Would you like to cite this article as a source? Then use: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>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\/   <\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/cohousing-al-je-vragen-beantwoord\/\">Cohousing according to legislation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/wonen-boven-winkels-volgens-wetgeving\/\">Living above stores according to legislation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/cooperatief-wonen-wetgeving\/\">Cooperative living according to legislation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/tiny-houses\/\">Living in a tiny house according to legislation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/flexwonen-betaalbaar-en-snel-tijdelijk-wonen\/\">Flex living: affordable and fast temporary housing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wonen op een woonboot volgens wetgeving (2025)\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/ext\/embed.html?id=657947826842896182&#038;src=oembed\" height=\"775\" width=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" ><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":6310,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1150],"tags":[1413,1411,1414,1412,1156],"class_list":["post-6637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration-en","tag-houseboat","tag-inspiration-en","tag-living-on-a-houseboat","tag-residential","tag-residential-forms"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6637\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appartement.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}