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Are you looking to spend some time on the water on your next trip abroad? Renting a boat with your family or friends is a surefire way to add adventure and excitement to your holiday. However, there can be a lot of confusion when renting a boat in a foreign country regarding boat licences. For example, can you drive a boat without a licence? If so, what type of boat can you operate licence-free? If not, what type of licence do you need? Does your licence work internationally?
All this can be quite overwhelming. But fear not; Click&Boat will answer everything and more! 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.
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. Renting a boat without a licence couldn’t be easier with Click&Boat. You can filter your search to include boats either with or without a skipper. You can also filter to see only boats without a licence! Most licence-free boats are smaller with limited horsepower. However, the specific requirements vary between countries, as seen in the table below.
Country | Sailboat without licence | Motorboat without licence |
Germany | <15 m in length, <15 horsepower, local & regional regulation applies | Up to 15 horsepower (Bodensee 6 horsepower, Rhine 5 horsepower) |
Greece | No – Hire a boat with a skipper instead! | Up to 30 horsepower |
Spain | <6 m in length, maximum 2 miles away from the coast | <5 min, <15 horsepower, max 2 miles from the coast |
Italy | No – Hire a boat with a licenced captain instead. | Up to 40 horsepower |
Croatia | <2,5 m | No – Hire a boat with a licenced captain instead. |
France | All sailboats | <5 m and up to 6 horsepower |
Netherlands | <15 m | <15 m; <20km/h |
Poland | <7,5 m | Up to 13,5 horsepower |
Switzerland | <15m² sail area | Up to 8,5 horsepower |
International boat licence
If you have a boat license in your home country, you can avoid dealing with country-specific license 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
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 licenses 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 boat 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!