eFoil regulations & spots in Switzerland

The Federal Office of Transport (BAV) and cantonal Schiffahrtsämter classify eFoils, Fliteboards and similar electric hydrofoils as prohibited motorised pleasure devices under the Binnenschifffahrtsverordnung (BSV / ONI, RS 747.201.1), specifically Article 121 paragraph 5, which prohibits motorisation of pleasure craft shorter than 2.50 m and of closed-hull buoyant bodies used as sport or bathing devices regardless of foil design. The same article applies to jet-skis, water-scooters and Flyboards. The interpretation is uniform across the cantons.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal confirmed this reading on 29 September 2022 (BGer 6B_1308/2021), upholding a CHF 300 fine plus approximately CHF 3,000 court costs imposed on a rider stopped on Lake Geneva in April 2020. The ban is not lifted by permit on lakes such as Genfersee, Vierwaldstättersee, Zürichsee, Zugersee, Bielersee, Neuenburgersee, Thunersee, or Brienzersee. Bodensee (Lake Constance) is banned tri-nationally under the Bodensee-Schifffahrts-Ordnung (BSO), which explicitly excludes jet-skis, water-scooters, electric surfboards, e-SUPs and electric hydrofoil boards across the entire lake. Lago di Lugano and Lago Maggiore on the Swiss side follow the same federal ban.

There is no general permit, licence or Bewilligung at federal or cantonal level to authorise recreational eFoil use on Swiss public waters. The Federal Council has signalled openness to reviewing the BSV, but as of 2025–2026 no exemption framework has been enacted. Operators of demonstrations, training schools or events must request a special-use authorisation directly from the competent cantonal Schiffahrtsamt; such permits are issued only exceptionally and on a case-by-case basis (e.g. closed sectors, sporting events) and do not constitute a general legalisation. Importation and sale remain legal — only operation on public waters is prohibited.

Violations are prosecuted under the Binnenschifffahrtsgesetz (BSG) penal provisions. Documented enforcement on Lac Léman: CHF 300 fine at first instance, escalating to approximately CHF 3,300 total after Federal Tribunal appeal costs. Cantonal police and Seepolizei actively patrol and have authority to seize equipment. Repeat offences and commercial operation can attract higher fines. Private waters are the only Swiss venue where eFoils may be operated, subject to the owner's permission and any cantonal water-protection rules.