A hot tub in the garden transforms any outdoor space into a private wellness area. Whether on a terrace, in a garden corner, under a pergola, or semi-inground — this is the complete planning guide for German and Austrian gardens: integration types, foundation, electrical, privacy, permits, and which Wellis hot tub fits which garden size.
Every garden size and style has a matching integration approach. The six most common solutions in German and Austrian gardens, with pros and cons.
The most common solution — the hot tub sits freely on an existing terrace or reinforced wooden deck. Pros: easy installation, no construction work, flexible and removable. Requirements: check load capacity (500 kg/m²), level surface, 1 m clearance on all sides.
The hot tub is placed in a garden corner with two-sided privacy screening (hedge, wood wall, or screen). Pros: space-saving, creates an intimate area, leaves the rest of the garden free. Ideal for: medium gardens 30-80 m², properties close to neighbours.
Hot tub under a pergola or carport. Pros: rain and snow protection during use, visual upgrade, climbing plants possible. Requirements: 40-50 cm additional overhead clearance for opened thermal cover. Pergola permit may be needed above certain size.
Hot tub recessed 40-60 cm into the ground, flush with surrounding deck construction. Pros: architecturally elegant, low entry step, harmonious integration. Requirements: excavation work, drainage, service access to equipment. Higher upfront cost (+€2,000-5,000).
Fully recessed installation, typically for swim spas (4.5-6 m length). Pros: looks like a pool, premium aesthetic, integrated into terrace floor. Requirements: significant excavation, pit frost-protection, equipment room. Only Wellis StreamLife swim spas (Amazonas, Beach Club, Rio Grande) support full-inground.
For buyers with limited space: Plug & Play hot tub (16A socket, no construction). Suitable models: Wellis Mars (170 kg empty), Callisto, Castor, Teide, Manhattan, Firenze. Requirements: check balcony load capacity, weatherproof socket, water connection for initial fill.
A dedicated hot tub corner is the most popular solution in medium-sized German and Austrian gardens. Here's how to design it right.
Ideal: south or south-west orientation for afternoon sun. Minimum 3 m from the house (acoustic separation), 1.5 m from the fence. Privacy-screened corner (two sides). Near water and electricity supply for installation.
Three options depending on model weight: concrete slab (200 mm, reinforced), prepared paver bed (30 cm gravel + chippings + pavers), reinforced wooden deck. Drainage slope 0.5%. Foundation cost: €300-1,500 depending on option and excavation.
Tall hedge (Thuja, Cherry Laurel — 180-220 cm), wood wall (horizontal slats, 180 cm), HPL screen panels, bamboo planter wall. Combination is common: wood wall toward neighbour, hedge toward the street. Budget: €200-1,500 depending on option and length.
WPC decking (low-maintenance, non-slip), porcelain tiles on pedestals, natural stone (granite, slate), wood decking (Bangkirai, Douglas fir). Area: typically 3×3 m to 4×4 m around the hot tub. Cost: €50-150/m² depending on material.
Indirect LED strips along deck edges, garden spots in privacy screen, solar lights on posts. Wellis hot tubs include built-in LED lighting. For surroundings: warm white (3000K), dimmable, weatherproof (IP65+). Budget: €150-600.
Paved or tiled path from the house to the hot tub corner, ideally lit. In winter: non-slip (no natural stone in heavy-frost regions) and snow-clearable. Width: minimum 80 cm. Also consider a storage area for towels and bathrobes nearby.
Direct size-matching: Wellis models categorised by recommended garden size, with dimensions and price ranges.
Compact 3-person models for terraces and balconies:
5-6 person family models, perfect for typical garden plots:
7-9 person premium models for larger properties:
Combined solutions (4.5-6 m length, hot tub + swim zone):
Models that run on a standard 16A domestic socket:
All 23 Wellis hot tub models in detailed comparison with specs, prices, and delivery times — our complete Wellis Hot Tub Guide.
Before buying a hot tub for the garden, these seven points should be clarified. Most problems come from incomplete planning.
A properly-planned hot tub in the garden runs 365 days/year — even at -15°C. Most Wellis models are winter-ready standard with Scandinavian full-foam insulation.
Full details in the Winter-Ready Outdoor Hot Tub Guide.
Recommendation: Call the local building authority before purchase — usually cleared in 5 minutes. Most German and Austrian communities have a standardised letter template for hot tub inquiries.
TwoRelax is the authorised Wellis retailer for Germany and Austria. Every Wellis hot tub arrives factory-sealed direct from the Hungarian factory with full manufacturer warranty.
An outdoor hot tub fits in gardens with as little as 10 m² of free placement area. Compact models like the Wellis Teide (1.6×2.1 m) or Firenze (2.13×1.6 m) need approx. 6-7 m² plus 1 m clearance on all sides for service access. Medium gardens (30-100 m²) are ideal for 6-person models (Kilimanjaro, Atlas, Prague). Large gardens over 100 m² can accommodate swim spas (4.5-6 m) or flagship models like the Olympus (3.54×2.3 m).
A hot tub corner works best with three elements: (1) a level, load-bearing foundation (200 mm concrete slab or prepared paver bed rated 500 kg/m²), (2) at least two sides with privacy screening (hedge, screen, wood wall, or pergola), (3) a path to the house usable year-round. Corner placement saves space and creates an intimate area without dominating the garden.
In most German Bundesländer and all Austrian federal states, outdoor hot tubs under 100 m³ water volume are classified as movable installations and don't require planning permission. All Wellis hot tubs hold 685-2,331 litres (0.7-2.3 m³) — well below the threshold. Exceptions: historic-protected properties, nature conservation zones, water-protection zones. Check local Gemeinde rules before installation.
Three options: (1) Reinforced concrete slab 200 mm, rated 500 kg/m² — safest for heavy models (Olympus 900 kg empty, 2,800 kg filled). (2) Prepared paver bed — 30 cm compacted gravel + 5 cm chippings + pavers — adequate for models under 500 kg. (3) Reinforced wood deck — Plug & Play models under 300 kg only. Drainage slope of 0.5% away from the unit.
Plug & Play models (Wellis Mars, Castor, Callisto) run on a weatherproof 16A domestic socket — no electrician required. All other Wellis models need a 32-50A hardwired connection (230V or 400V) via a qualified electrician with RCD protection. Cable from consumer unit to hot tub should be minimum 5×2.5 mm² (at 32A) or 5×4 mm² (at 50A), weatherproof, ideally buried 60-80 cm underground.
Minimum 1 m clearance on all sides for service access (service hatches are typically on 2-3 sides). Recommended: 1.5-2 m on the access side and at least 1 m on the others. For a pergola: additional 40-50 cm overhead clearance for the cover when opened. Total: a 2.15×2.15 m hot tub (Wellis Atlas) needs about 4.15×4.15 m total footprint.
Only if the deck construction supports the weight. A filled Wellis hot tub weighs 500-2,800 kg depending on model. Typical wooden decks are rated 200-300 kg/m². For heavy models (PeakLife, CityLife), the deck should be checked by a structural engineer and reinforced if needed. Plug & Play models (Mars ~170 kg empty, 700 kg filled) are usually fine on stable decks.
Five popular options: (1) Tall hedge (Thuja, Cherry Laurel) — natural but takes 2-3 years to grow. (2) Wood wall or screen — instant, repositionable. (3) Pergola with side panelling — also provides overhead shelter. (4) Planter boxes with bamboo — modular and movable. (5) Privacy film on existing fence — cost-effective for targeted sight lines. Combinations are common (e.g., wood wall toward neighbour + pergola overhead).
Yes — a properly-built outdoor hot tub runs 365 days/year in German and Austrian winters. Requirements: Scandinavian full-foam insulation (standard on Wellis PeakLife + CityLife), fitted thermal cover, active freeze protection. Typical winter heating cost: €40-90/month. See our Winter-Ready Outdoor Hot Tub Guide for details.
Rigid outdoor hot tub prices in DE/AT: €5,429 for entry-level Plug & Play (Wellis Mars), €7,000-€15,000 for mid-range 5-6 person models (Budapest, Atlas, Kilimanjaro), €15,000-€30,000 for premium flagships (Olympus). All Wellis models include free delivery to DE+AT, 19% VAT, full factory warranty with up to 10 years on the acrylic shell.
Pure installation (delivery, placement, connection, filling, first startup): 1-2 days for Plug & Play models, 2-4 days for larger hardwired models including electrician. Foundation preparation (if needed): 1-3 weeks in advance. For semi-inground: additional 1-2 weeks of excavation work. Typical project timeline from purchase decision to first use: 3–5 weeks (delivery 10–15 business days plus foundation/garden preparation time).
Six strategies: (1) Reinforce and use an existing terrace. (2) Create a dedicated hot tub corner with pergola or screening. (3) Build semi-inground (40-60 cm recessed) for flush deck look. (4) Place alongside an existing pool as a complement. (5) Integrate into an existing wellness garden zone (sauna, relaxation area). (6) Position as an architectural centrepiece with surrounding seating. Best strategy depends on garden size, style, and budget.
For gardens under 30 m²: Wellis Teide (1.6×2.1 m, 3 persons, €10,499), Wellis Manhattan (2.01×1.53 m, 3 persons), Wellis Firenze (2.13×1.6 m, 3 persons), Wellis Mars P&P (2.13×1.6 m, 3 persons, from €5,429). All under 2.15 m on the shortest side — fits compact terraces and narrow garden corners.
Typical family choice: Wellis Kilimanjaro (2.36×2.36 m, 6 persons with lounge), Wellis Atlas (2.15×2.15 m, 6 persons), Wellis Budapest (2×2 m, 5 persons with 2 lounges), Wellis Prague (2×2 m, 6 persons), Wellis Malaga (2.18×2.18 m, 6 persons). All fit typical German/Austrian garden plots with adequate clearance for screening and access.
Premium models: Wellis Olympus (3.54×2.3 m, 9 persons, PeakLife flagship, €29,299), Wellis Elbrus (2.36×2.36 m, 7 persons), Wellis Lima (2.18×2.18 m, 7 persons), Wellis Vienna (2.3×2.3 m, 7 persons). Or a swim-spa option: Wellis Beach Club (6 m, swim zone + hot tub area) for buyers combining swimming and relaxation.
Wellis offers 8 different 6-person models (PeakLife, CityLife, ClassicLine + Plug & Play) from €7,200 to €14,999. Direct comparison of all 8: 6-Person Outdoor Hot Tub — all 8 Wellis models →
Wellis offers 10 models for 4-person families (5-person models with extra room + compact 3-person) from €5,429 to €11,099. Direct comparison: 4-Person Outdoor Hot Tub — Wellis model comparison →
Lifespan, energy, 10-year cost, hydrotherapy quality — honest comparison of both categories plus Wellis Plug & Play as the rigid entry point from €7200: Inflatable hot tub or rigid? →