Naturism in Germany: laws and customs

At a glance

What the law says

In Germany no law bans being naked in public. The crimes concern exhibitionist acts by a man who harasses another person, and sexual acts in public that cause offence: up to 1 year in prison or a fine (§ 183 StGB, § 183a StGB). According to the Bundestag's Research Services, simple naked bathing does not fall under these crimes, as long as there is no sexual element (Bundestag, 2005).

The real risk is something else: "nuisance to the public" under § 118 OWiG, an administrative offence for "grossly improper" behaviour that disturbs others. The fine ranges from €5 to €1,000 (§ 17 OWiG). It all depends on the place and the situation. Again according to the Bundestag, naked bathing in the FKK zones of public beaches "has become normal" and is no longer considered a nuisance; running naked in the street, on the other hand, is.

An example: in 2000 the Karlsruhe Court of Appeal upheld fines totalling 600 marks for a man who had taken four naked walks in town. For the judges, anyone who is naked on streets and public areas where nobody expects to meet naked people commits the offence (OLG Karlsruhe, 2 Ss 166/99).

At home there is no problem if your property cannot be seen from public space; if it can be seen from a street, however, § 118 may apply.

Where you can be naked

• FKK beaches: on the Baltic it is the municipalities that divide the beach into FKK stretches, mixed stretches and swimwear stretches, marked by signs. In Zingst, for example, the bylaw states which access paths lead to the FKK stretches and which to the mixed zone "with and without clothes" (Gemeinde Zingst, 2025). In Rostock (Warnemünde, Markgrafenheide), since 2025 the city's 37 FKK stretches have even had an obligation to be naked: anyone who stays clothed must move elsewhere, without fines. The city also has stretches for swimwear only (NDR, 2025).
• In town: in Munich there are six areas where you can sunbathe naked, including the Schönfeldwiese in the Englischer Garten and the Flauchersteg (Stadtrecht München).
• Naked hiking: in Saxony-Anhalt there is the Harzer Naturistenstieg, a trail of about 5.3 km near the Wippra dam designed for walking naked (Wippra).
• Naturist stays: campsites, association grounds and other places where nudity is the rule. You can find them in the list of naturist places in Germany.

Tolerated beaches and bans

The rules change from municipality to municipality, and every city can regulate nudity with a bylaw. In Munich, anyone bathing or sunbathing in public must cover their genitals, except in the six designated areas, in saunas that cannot be seen, and in places where you can count on not being seen by strangers; anyone who deliberately breaks the rule risks a fine (Stadtrecht München).

In secluded nature there is no ban, but the same § 118 test applies: the problem arises if you impose your nudity on people who do not expect it. On unofficial nudist beaches and zones our research found no precise sources.

Topless, towns and saunas

• Topless: no national rule bans it. In Berlin's public pools, since 2023 swimming bare-breasted has been allowed for everyone (Berliner Bäder-Betriebe); in other pools the operator decides. The Munich bylaw requires genitals to be covered and does not mention breasts. In practice, though, German women are among the European women least in favour of topless on the beach.
• In town: naked in the street or in parks where nobody expects it, you risk the § 118 fine, from €5 to €1,000.
• Sauna: "in almost all saunas" entering clothed is banned, often with a sign. The operator decides how to apply the rule and can send away anyone who does not follow it (BILD/Travelbook, 2025).

The local mood

In Germany, the land of FKK (Freikörperkultur), nudity is entirely normal in the places meant for it. One German in four has been to a naturist venue at least once, the highest figure among six European countries surveyed (YouGov, 2025), and in East Germany FKK was a normal part of seaside holidays on the Baltic. Where nobody expects it, such as in the street or in town, nudity can still be penalised.

Outside the dedicated places Germans are more divided: on naked bathing in nature, half are in favour and half are not. And the practice is ageing: young people are less interested than the over-50s.

Naturist associations

• Deutscher Verband für Freikörperkultur (DFK): the national federation recognised by INF-FNI, the international federation.

Whether places require a membership card is not clear: it is best to ask beforehand.

LGBTQ+ travellers

No legal risk: same-sex relations have been legal since 1968, marriage is open to same-sex couples, and since 2017 there has been joint adoption (ILGA World, § 1353 BGB).