In order to inform building owners, planners, specialist tradesmen and drilling companies about geothermal probes and to show the way to the proper construction of a system, the Ministries for the Environment and Consumer Protection and for Economic Affairs and Media, Energy and Technology, together with the Bundesverband WärmePumpe (BWP) e. V., have published a guide for the construction of geothermal probes for heat pump systems. In addition to basic statements on water law assessment, it provides information and recommendations on what needs to be observed when constructing and operating a geothermal probe system and provides information on the necessary application documents.

The guide has been updated due to technical developments and legal changes and has been reprinted in a 4th edition. It can be downloaded from the Internet (see "Further links").

Boreholes for the installation of geothermal probe systems must be reported to the responsible district administrative authority to protect the soil and groundwater against contamination.
If the boreholes for the geothermal probes reach into the groundwater, a permit under water law is generally required.