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Agriculture & Nature

Apply for a water withdrawal permit

Permit from the Lower Water Authority to withdraw groundwater or surface water for agricultural, commercial, or private purposes.

Wo wohnen Sie?

Damit wir Apply for a water withdrawal permit mit dem zuständigen Untere Wasserbehörde in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.

Oder Großstadt wählen:

Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a water withdrawal permit.

Processing: approx. 2 monthsSuccess rate: 68.0 %
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026

Quick answer

  1. 1

    Documents you need

    Map showing the sampling location · Proof of intended use

  2. 2

    Responsible authority

    The authority of your main residence

  3. 3

    How to do it

    In person or by post at the office

  4. 4

    Costs

    Kostenlos bis 100 € je nach Antrag

Find the responsible authority

How to proceed

  1. 1

    Submit an application to the local water authority

    Please specify the quantity, location, and intended use.

  2. 2

    If necessary, a hydrogeological report

    Required for larger quantities.

  3. 3

    Wait for the approval notice

    The permit is granted for a limited period and subject to certain conditions.

Responsible authority

The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →

The essentials before applying

Who is eligible?

Businesses and individuals who wish to draw water from a well, stream, or lake.

Income limit

Processing time

Nationwide: approx. approx. 2 months

Success rate

approx. 68.0 % (estimate)

Most common mistakes

  • Well drilled without a permit
  • Withdrawal amount set too high

Common reasons for rejection

  • Threats to drinking water protection areas
  • Negative hydrogeological report

Alternatives

  • Check related services in the application assistant
  • Use social counselling before applying

If rejected

File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.

Questions & Answers

Do I need a permit for my home well?

Yes, even the private extraction of well water requires a permit.

Freshness & source

Maintenance
Continuously reviewed & updated
Source
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft
Data quality
100 %

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