Swimming in the Rhine river throughout Düsseldorf city is now prohibited, with penalties reaching 1,000 euros!
In August 2025, a comprehensive swimming ban was enforced in Düsseldorf's Rhine river due to strong currents and safety risks [2][5]. This ban aims to prevent accidents and ensure public safety, with fines up to €1000 for violations.
The decision came following increasing concerns about dangerous water conditions in the Rhine around Düsseldorf and the neighboring city of Neuss, both of which implemented similar swimming prohibitions around mid-August 2025 [2][4]. Signs indicating the swimming ban were visibly posted in Düsseldorf [1].
Meanwhile, nearby Meerbusch permitted swimming as of August 19, 2025, but with warnings about the imminent ban expected to follow, reflecting localized differences in water safety regulation along the Rhine [3].
The new swimming ban is intended to raise awareness of the risks associated with swimming in the Rhine. The entrance fee for German public baths has increased by an average of 5.7 percent in 2025. However, a visit to a German public swimming pool remains a safer option than swimming in the Rhine.
The ban was enforced due to a tragic accident involving a six-year-old boy in July. The Mayor of Düsseldorf, Dr. Stephan Keller, continues to urge everyone not to swim in the Rhine, as it is forbidden and life-threatening.
The ban, which comes into force on August 14, 2025, is initially valid until December 31, 2026. Despite warning signs, social media campaigns, and appeals from the city, some people have continued to swim in the Rhine. The ban is aimed at preventing further swimming accidents in the Rhine. The goal is to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in the area.
The increasing concerns about dangerous water conditions in the Rhine led to the implementation of a comprehensive swimming ban in Düsseldorf, aiming to protect public health-and-wellness. The new ban, aligned with the neighboring city of Neuss, underlines the importance of science-backed water safety measures to prevent accidents.
