Swimming Pools in Germany Experience a Rise in Prices
According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the cost of visiting a swimming pool, either an indoor or outdoor facility, has increased by 5.7% in May 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. This rise in prices is not uniform across all necessary items, as consumers may need to purchase in addition to the admission ticket. For instance, the price of a sun shelter has increased by 2.4%, while the cost of sport or bathing wear for men has risen by a marginal 0.6%. In contrast, the prices of sport or bathing wear for women have decreased by 1.1%. The overall consumer prices in Germany have increased by 2.1% during the same period.
The accessibility of swimming pools in Germany varies, with the average driving time to the nearest outdoor or natural pool being around 10 minutes, as shown by the 2024 Germany Atlas. In some rural areas, however, the driving time can be as long as 20 minutes or more, particularly in regions such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, northern Saxony-Anhalt and parts of Rhineland-Palatinate. Germany has a total of around 2,800 outdoor pool offers and approximately 570 natural bathing sites, according to the German Association for the Spa and Bath Industry.
In the event of an emergency, the professional staff at the pools provide first aid and ensure safety. In 2023, around 600 individuals began training as specialists in the operation of swimming pools, commonly referred to as swimming instructors or pool attendants. This represents a slight increase of 3.0% compared to the previous year, with more than two-thirds (67.6%) of the new trainees being men. Over the past decade, the number of people starting this training has increased by 27.5%.