"Topless at the Pool: Is That Actually Allowed?"

May 29, 2026, 9:16 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Is it actually allowed to go topless in the swimming pool? The gentlemen might not feel addressed here, as they typically swim without a bikini top or swimsuit. So, the question really applies to women. Somehow unfair. TRAVELBOOK has explored the topic from a legal perspective and discussed it with a lawyer.

For women, sunbathing or swimming topless is more or less socially accepted in some countries than in others; Germany is relatively open in this regard. Nevertheless, the question of what is allowed and what is not continues to spark discussions. TRAVELBOOK posed this question to lawyer Nicole Matschke.

Is topless swimming allowed? House rules decide

As the expert explains, the house rules of both indoor and outdoor pools generally determine what swimwear is permitted. “If the house rules prohibit topless swimming, female visitors must initially adhere to these guidelines,” says Nicole Matschke.

However, different treatment of men and women is legally permissible only if there is a valid reason. And male nipples are a common sight in swimming pools. For this reason, the legality of such regulations can be reviewed in court. “The chances are not bad legally,” says the expert.

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Circumstances decide if it’s allowed or “harassment”

Ultimately, the specific circumstances are always decisive. While the sight of women swimming topless at lakes or outdoor pools is already considered relatively commonplace in many places, the offense of “public nuisance” can still be met in individual cases.

Even though complete nudity is not prohibited in Germany, as Nicole Matschke emphasizes, behavior can be classified as a regulatory offense if other people feel significantly disturbed and report it. In this case, a fine may be imposed.

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Trend points toward more freedom

“The trend, however, suggests that women will increasingly be able to decide for themselves whether they want to swim topless in the pool,” believes lawyer Matschke. And that would indeed be welcome.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.