Boating licences: what are the rules for sailing abroad?

With your newly acquired boating licence in hand, you may already be dreaming of exploring the Greek, Spanish or Croatian coastline by boat. But is your boating licence valid everywhere?

Not necessarily. Regulations vary from one destination to another. So, to make sure your sailing holiday goes smoothly, even if you do not have a boating licence, here is everything you need to know about sailing abroad.

Boat flags: what do the regulations say?

Under the law of the flag, vessels sail under the flag of a single country and, except in specific cases provided for by international treaties or conventions, are subject to that country's jurisdiction on the high seas.

Put more simply, it is the nationality of the vessel that determines its legal status, rather than the nationality of its owner or crew.

This means that if you sail abroad on a French-flagged boat, French regulations generally apply. If you sail on a boat registered in another country, you will need to refer to the regulations applicable to that vessel.

Sailing abroad: which boating licence do you need?

Please note that GlobeSailor cannot be held responsible if your documents or licences are not valid in France or abroad. If you are unsure, ask our team for advice.

There is no universal international recreational boating licence. You therefore need to check the legislation of each country to find out whether your licence is recognised and, above all, which type of licence or qualification is required for the boat you intend to charter.

For example, in France, no boating licence is required to skipper a sailing yacht, whereas a licence or sailing qualification is often required abroad. To charter a sailing yacht, you generally need to provide evidence of sufficient sailing experience, for example through a sailing CV.

So, how can you make sense of the different regulations? Here is an overview of the rules in some of the most popular sailing destinations.

France, including Corsica and French overseas territories

As mentioned above, no licence is required in France to skipper a recreational sailing yacht at sea.

For motorboats, however, a boating licence is required when the engine power exceeds 6 hp.

Croatia

To sail any type of boat in Croatia, you must hold an appropriate boating licence that includes a VHF radio qualification.

If you charter a boat in Croatia, you therefore need to make sure that your qualification is recognised by the Croatian authorities and that you meet the applicable VHF requirements.

The Croatian authorities provide a list of recognised certificates and licences for different nationalities, so it is important to check the requirements applicable to your own qualification before departure.

Greece

A boating or sailing qualification is required to charter a boat in Greece.

Normally, two qualified people may be required on board. However, charter companies may in some cases accept one qualified skipper, with the second crew member signing a declaration confirming their sailing experience.

Be aware that requirements can be strict, particularly regarding sailing qualifications. Some port authorities may require a licence that explicitly confirms competence to operate a sailing yacht and does not impose restrictions relating to distance from the coast.

To avoid problems at the charter base, make sure that your qualification clearly demonstrates that you are authorised and sufficiently qualified to skipper the type of yacht you have booked. An official English translation may also be required or recommended depending on your licence.

Spain

A boating licence is required to operate:

• a sailing yacht measuring 6 metres or more in length;
• a motorboat measuring more than 5 metres in length with an engine power exceeding 15 hp.

If you charter a boat in Spain, you may need to present your boating licence to the harbour authorities or directly to the charter company so that its Spanish equivalent can be determined.

Italy

A licence or appropriate qualification may be required to operate sailing yachts in Italy.

For motorboats, licensing requirements also depend on factors including engine power and navigation area. Make sure you check whether your qualification is recognised for the particular boat you intend to charter.

Portugal

A boating licence or appropriate qualification is required to skipper sailing yachts and motorboats in Portugal.

Our advice

If you already hold a national boating licence and are planning to sail abroad, it may be useful to obtain an International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft, commonly known as the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) where applicable.

The ICC provides internationally recognised evidence of competence for recreational boating. However, whether it is accepted or required depends on the country, the vessel and your national qualification.

Before setting off, always check the latest requirements for your destination. If you have any doubts, contact the relevant embassy, consulate or maritime authority and confirm the requirements with your charter company.

Can you sail without a boating licence?

Yes, you can. And no, we are not suggesting chartering a boat illegally!

There are alternatives that allow you to enjoy a sailing holiday without having to complete a boating course before your trip. You have two main options:

• Sail with a professional skipper: this option is available for boat charters around the world and is also a great opportunity to become more familiar with sailing and navigation.
• Book a cabin cruise: whether you choose Corsica, Thailand, French Polynesia or another sailing destination, all you need to do is settle in and enjoy the journey. The crew, usually including a skipper and often a host or cook, takes care of the rest.

So, there is no reason to stay in the marina this summer. We wish you an unforgettable sailing holiday!