The 1971 European Rowing Championships were rowing championships held on Lake Bagsværd in the Danish capital Copenhagen. There were seven competitions for men and five for women, and the most successful nation was East Germany with five gold medals across the twelve boat classes. As World Rowing Championships were still held at four-year intervals at the time, the European Rowing Championships were open to nations outside of Europe and had become to be regarded as quasi-world championships. Men competed in all seven Olympic boat classes (M1x: 17 boats; M2x: 16 boats; M2-: 13 boats; M2+: 20 boats; M4-: 15 boats; M4+: 18 boats; M8+: 16 boats), and 120 boats were entered in total.