She was laid down in August 2007 by Howaldtswerke, Kiel, launched in November 2011 and commissioned on 23 March 2015.

Her sponsor is Sigrid Hubert-Reichling, wife of the Lord Mayor of Zweibrücken, Helmut Reichling.

In January 2015 Der Spiegel reported that significant problems had been found with U-35 and her sister submarine U-36.

The drive shaft system, battery, radar and the radio buoy were all found to be malfunctioning.

[7][8] In October 2017 U-35 entered dock at the ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems yard at, Kiel for inspection after damaging her rudder during deep water testing in the Kattegat off Kristiansand.