Boat License Greece: Do You Need One as a Tourist?
You do not need a boat license in Greece to rent a small motorboat: an outboard up to 30 HP is license-free on a conventional hull, but only up to 15 HP on a RIB, V-hull or multihull. To charter a yacht bareboat, the skipper must hold a recognised license, and the ICC is the safest choice. With a hired skipper or crew, nobody on board needs a license.
Rules last checked: 25 September 2026. Rules can change, so confirm with the Hellenic Coast Guard or your charter company before you sail.
| How you go out | License needed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Small rental motorboat, outboard up to 30 HP | No | Conventional hull only, 18+, must swim |
| RIB, V-hull or multihull, outboard up to 15 HP | No | Above 15 HP a license is needed |
| Bigger motorboat, RIB or jet ski | Yes | Greek or recognised foreign license |
| Bareboat sailboat, catamaran or motor yacht | Yes, the skipper | ICC or equivalent, charter company decides |
| Yacht with skipper or fully crewed | No | The professional skipper holds the papers |
Can I rent a boat in Greece without a license?
Yes, if the boat is small enough. Greek law requires a speedboat operator license (άδεια χειριστή ταχυπλόου) for any motorboat it classes as a "speedboat". The limits are set in General Port Regulation no. 20, published by the Hellenic Coast Guard:
- Conventional boat: license-free with an outboard up to 30 HP, a petrol inboard or sterndrive up to 40 HP, or an inboard diesel up to 70 HP.
- RIB or other inflatable, catamaran-type hull or V-hull: license-free only with an outboard up to 15 HP, a petrol inboard or sterndrive up to 30 HP, or an inboard diesel up to 50 HP.
- Water-jet boats over 15 HP and all jet skis always need a license.
Many rental websites simply say "30 HP", but the lower 15 HP limit for RIBs and V-hulls is in the regulation. Ask the rental company which category its boat is in.
For license-free rental boats the same regulation sets clear conditions. You must be at least 18 and able to swim. Rental is only allowed between sunrise and sunset. Keep at least 200 m from where people swim, and go no faster than 5 knots within 200 m of the shore. How far out you may go is written in each boat's sailing permit, so the rental company will tell you the limit.
What license do you need for a bareboat charter in Greece?
On a bareboat charter you skipper the yacht yourself, so the skipper named in the charter contract must prove competence. Greek law (Law 4926/2022, which still applies Ministerial Decision 3342/02/2004 for this) accepts Greek qualifications and foreign certificates issued or officially recognised by a state authority. The license must also cover the type and size of boat you charter.
In practice the charter company checks your license at check-in and has the final word. Bring the original card, not a photo. Some companies also ask for a sailing CV or a VHF radio certificate (SRC). Greek law does not spell out an SRC rule for charter guests, so ask your company what it wants.
Does a second crew member need experience?
The Greek law in force does not contain a written rule about a second crew member. Even so, many Greek charter companies ask you to name a second person with sailing experience on the crew list, to help with mooring and anchoring. Check your charter contract and plan for one experienced helper. That person does not need to be the license holder.
Is my license or the ICC accepted in Greece?
Greece has not formally adopted UN Resolution 40, the agreement behind the ICC. Even so, the RYA recommends an ICC for Greece, because authorities and charter companies are likely to ask for one. For UK sailors, the RYA issues the ICC on behalf of the UK Government.
Other national licenses can work too, since Greek rules accept licenses issued or recognised by a state authority. For small speedboats, the regulation says you may need an official translation with confirmation from your embassy or consulate at an inspection. The ICC is an internationally agreed format, so it is the easiest proof to show. Our ICC guide explains how to get one.
Can I charter a yacht in Greece without a license?
Yes. Book a yacht with a skipper, and the skipper is legally in command, so you need no license at all. The same goes for a crewed yacht, where a skipper and usually a host or chef come with the boat. On Ship O'Hoi you can find crewed yachts in Greece, and charter yachts can also be booked with a skipper where the listing offers it.
This is often the easiest option for a first sailing holiday or for a group where nobody has a license. You still help on deck if you want to, and you learn a lot in a week.
What happens at check-in?
For every charter in Greece, the skipper, crew and all passengers are registered on an electronic crew list before departure. It holds each person's name, passport or ID number, sex, nationality and date of birth. Everyone on board must carry a passport or ID card and show it at any inspection.
At the base the charter company checks the skipper's license, goes through the boat with you and hands over the papers. Have everyone's passport details ready before you arrive; it saves time on changeover day.
Where to charter bareboat in Greece
If you hold a license, you can compare bareboat yachts in Greece or browse the Greece boat rental page. Popular bases include Athens for the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades, and Lefkada for the sheltered Ionian Sea. Catamarans for charter give extra space and stability.
Planning a trip elsewhere in the Mediterranean? Read our guides to the boat license in Croatia and the boat license in Italy.
FAQ
Is 30 HP always license-free in Greece?
No. The 30 HP outboard limit applies to conventional hulls. For RIBs, other inflatables, V-hulls and catamaran-type hulls the license-free limit is 15 HP. Jet skis always require a license.
Do I need a license to sail a small sailing dinghy in Greece?
Greek rules do not class sailing boats as speedboats, so the speedboat license does not apply to them. Ask the rental centre what experience it expects.
Can I use my driving license instead of a boat license?
No. A car driving license is not proof of boating competence. For a boat above the license-free limits you need a boat license that Greece recognises, ideally an ICC.
Does everyone on board need a license on a bareboat charter?
No. Only the skipper needs a license. Many charter companies also want a second person with sailing experience, but that person usually does not need a license.
This article is general information, not legal advice. The skipper is responsible for holding the right papers, and the charter company has the final word on which licenses it accepts.
Where to sail once the licence is sorted: see our guide to sailing in Greece, with 11 sailing areas from the Ionian to the Dodecanese.
