ICC Boating License: The International Certificate Explained

The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is a certificate that proves you can handle a pleasure boat. It is based on UN ECE Resolution 40 and is issued by your home country's authority or the body it appoints, such as the RYA in the UK. It is not a worldwide licence, but charter companies across Europe commonly accept it for bareboat charter.

Rules last checked: 25 September 2026. Rules can change, so confirm with the authority of the country you visit or with your charter company before you sail.

What is the ICC?

The full name is the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft. The rules behind it are in Resolution 40, adopted in October 1998 by the UN Economic Commission for Europe's working party on inland water transport. It was designed for Europe's inland waterways and coastal waters.

The ICC is not an exam in itself. It is a card or booklet that shows an official in another country that you have already proved your competence, usually through a national test plus a practical check. According to the RYA's ICC overview, it is meant as evidence of competence "when requested by officials in foreign countries".

Countries that have adopted Resolution 40 include the UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia, according to the list kept by the German federal waterways administration (ELWIS).

Is the ICC an international boating license?

Not quite. There is no licence that is valid everywhere. The ICC should be accepted automatically in countries that have adopted Resolution 40, but several of the most popular charter countries have not: France and Italy are listed as "no" by ELWIS, and Greece and Spain are not on the list at all.

In practice this matters less than it sounds. The RYA recommends the ICC for Greece, Italy and Spain, and charter companies there commonly ask for it. The charter company checks your papers at check-in and has the final say on whether you can take the boat out without a skipper.

Where is the ICC accepted?

The table sums up the main charter and rental countries. Each country link goes to our detailed licence guide.

Croatia is the clearest case. The Croatian ministry's list of recognised certificates accepts any ICC marked valid for coastal waters, as long as you stay within the limits printed on it. If you plan to sail there, see our bareboat yachts in Croatia.

How do I get an ICC?

The ICC is issued nationally, so the route depends on where you live:

• UK: the RYA issues the UK ICC. You need to be at least 16. You either show a qualifying RYA certificate or pass an ICC assessment for power, sail or coastal waters at an RYA recognised training centre. For inland waters you also pass the CEVNI test. It is free for RYA members. UK residents can apply whatever their nationality. See the RYA's ICC page.
• Norway: Norsk Test issues it on behalf of the Norwegian Maritime Authority. You need a passed båtførerprøve, a practical test with an approved provider (motor, sail or both) and a health self-declaration.
• Finland: Traficom issues it. You need to be 16, hold a driving licence or medical certificate, and prove theory and practical skills.
• Germany: the Sportbootführerschein See and Binnen are issued as an ICC, so the card you already have is your ICC.
• Sweden: Sweden has not adopted Resolution 40, and neither the Swedish Transport Agency nor NFB lists an ICC among its certificates. Some Swedish schools sell ICCs through international training organisations; ask who issues it.
• Denmark: the Danish Maritime Authority says Denmark is not part of the ICC scheme and gives no guarantee that a Danish certificate lets you rent a boat abroad.

Under the RYA's rules, nationals of countries that have not adopted Resolution 40 can also apply for a UK ICC, after an assessment at an RYA recognised centre.

What do the categories on the ICC mean?

An ICC shows where and on what kind of boat you are qualified. The usual categories are:

• Coastal: coastal waters. This is the one charter companies look for.
• Inland: rivers and canals. It needs the CEVNI test on European inland waterway rules.
• Motor (power) and sail: the boat types you have been assessed on.

Resolution 40 sets no general length limit, but the card may carry one. The RYA's restricted power category covers boats up to 10 m only. A Norwegian ICC gives the same rights as the båtførerbevis in Norway, meaning boats up to 15 m. Abroad, the country you visit decides what your ICC lets you drive, so read the limits printed on the card before you book.

How long is an ICC valid?

It depends on who issued it. A UK ICC from the RYA is valid for 5 years and can be renewed up to 3 months before it expires. A Finnish ICC from Traficom does not expire. German Sportbootführerscheine, which are issued as an ICC, are valid indefinitely. If your card shows an expiry date, check it before the trip. An expired certificate is unlikely to be accepted.

Do I need an ICC to charter a yacht?

Only if you want to skipper the boat yourself (bareboat). If you book a yacht with a skipper, the skipper holds the licence and you need no certificate. A crewed yacht works the same way, with a host or chef as well.

On Ship O'Hoi you can rent both private boats and professional charter yachts. Charter yachts can be booked bareboat, with a skipper or fully crewed where the listing offers it. Browse sailboats for charter and catamarans for charter, or compare bareboat yachts in Greece with boats for rent in Italy.

What else do I need besides the ICC?

The ICC shows competence, but it is rarely the only thing a charter company asks for:

• A VHF radio certificate (SRC): Croatia requires one when the boat has a VHF radio, which charter yachts do. Other charter companies may ask for one too.
• A sailing CV or proof of experience: many charter companies ask for a record of your previous trips.
• Crew details: Croatia and Greece both require a crew and passenger list before departure, so collect names and passport numbers in advance.
• The original certificate: bring the card itself, not a photo.

In Greece, many charter companies also ask for a second person with sailing experience on the crew list. This is company practice rather than law, so check your contract.

FAQ

Can I get an ICC online?

The application can often be made online, but the ICC is only issued after you have proved your skills, usually with a theory test and a practical check. Be wary of any "ICC" sold without an assessment, and check who issued it before you rely on it.

Is my national licence enough without an ICC?

Sometimes. Croatia lists many national licences, and Spain, France and Italy accept licences from your home country within their limits. Norway's Maritime Authority calls the båtførerbevis a national certificate and says an ICC may be needed abroad. Ask the charter company in writing before you book.

Can I rent a small motorboat without any licence?

In some countries, yes. Greece allows licence-free rental motorboats up to 30 hp on a conventional hull, but only 15 hp on a RIB or catamaran-type hull. Italy allows up to 40.8 hp (with a displacement limit) within 6 nautical miles. Croatia has no licence-free motorboat category, and from 1 October 2026 Spain requires a licence for rented motorboats you drive yourself.

Does the ICC cover jet skis?

Some issuers offer a personal watercraft category, including the RYA. It must be shown on your card. Local jet ski rules still apply, so check with the rental company.

This article is general information, not legal advice. The skipper is responsible for holding the right certificates for the boat and the waters, and the charter company has the final word on whether you can sail without a skipper.