Share the post "Click&Boat’s guide to using a boat licence abroad"
Are you looking to spend some time on the water, with or without a boat licence?
Renting a motorboat with your family or friends is a sure-fire way to add adventure and excitement to your holiday. However, there can be a lot of confusion when renting a motorboat in a foreign country regarding the boat licence.
This is a topic that can quickly lead to confusion and helplessness: Can I hire a boat without a boating licence and, if I have one, can I hire a boat in any country with my boating licence?
Click&Boat clarifies which licences you need and where. Whether you’re a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of boating or an experienced sailor seeking to expand your horizons, understanding the requirements of sailing abroad is crucial for boating safety and an enjoyable experience.
As you will see from our list, it is almost always necessary to have a boating licence with you, at the latest, from a certain boat size and engine power. Fortunately, the bureaucratic hurdles in the various countries are relatively low. Most of the time, all you need is a certified copy of your boating licence, translated into English.
Boating without a licence?
Most boats, especially larger ones with higher engine power, will require you to have a boat licence. However, you can always hire a boat with a licenced skipper or captain. Click&Boat makes it easy to rent a boat without a boating licence. In our filter options, you can choose whether you want to hire with or without a captain. But even if you want to set sail on your own and without a boating licence, this option is available in some countries subject to restrictions, as our overview shows. However, we do not recommend taking too big a leap if you are new to boating.
Country | Sailboat without licence | Motorboat without licence |
| Germany | <15 m in length, <15HP*, local & regional regulation applies | Up to 15 HP (Lake Constance 6 HP, Rhine 5 HP) |
| Greece | No – Hire a boat with a skipper instead! | Up to 30 HP |
| Spain | <6 m in length, maximum 2 miles away from the coast | <5 min, <15 HP, max 2 miles from the coast |
| Italy | No – Hire a boat with a licenced captain instead. | Up to 40 HP |
| Croatia | <2,5 m | No – Hire a boat with a licenced captain instead. |
| France | All sailboats | <5 m and up to 6 HP |
| Netherlands | <15 m | <15 m; <20km/h |
| Poland | <7,5 m | Up to 13,5 HP |
| Switzerland | <15m² sail area | Up to 8,5 HP |
International boat licence
If you have a boat licence in your home country, you can avoid dealing with country-specific licence requirements when boating abroad.
UNECE Resolution No. 40
Some European countries have joined forces to simplify country-specific regulations under a piece of legislation called Resolution No. 40, also known as the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Crafts. The countries involved allow you to sail their coastal waters if you also have an equivalent boat licence in your country of origin. For example, if you own a licence for inland waters (rivers, lakes, etc.) in Britain, you can also sail inland in Croatia. The same applies to other boat licences.
Signatories of this agreement include:
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
An Irish ICC boat licence
An Australian ICC boat licence
We would like to emphasise once again that this information is not definitive, as national regulations may change at any time. To be on the safe side, we recommend you to contact the boat owner and ask about the local regulations.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
To reap the benefits of this legislation, you must get the ICC, a certification that serves as standardised evidence of the competence of the boater to operate a pleasure craft, ensuring a level of safety and knowledge for both the boater and those sharing the waterways. If you have a licence in the UK, you can find details about the ICC application form here. Additionally, for more information about boating licences in the US, check out this blog!
Keep in mind that national and regional regulations can change at any time, therefore affecting the information provided above. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, we recommend you to:
- Contact Click&Boat and inquire about the local legislation regarding boat licences
- Ask for information at local sailing clubs and associations
- Contact the authorities in the country where you plan to sail
If you would rather sit back, relax, and not worry about all the different requirements, look no further! Simply choose a skippered motorboat rental and experience the region through the eyes of a local! The skipper not only manages boat logistics but also serves as a local guide, directing you to the best spots to visit.
We wish you a safe journey, no matter where you choose to sail with your motorboat rental!
