Greek Boat Licence 2026: What You Need & How to Get It

You arrive in Preveza, see a fleet of boats lined up on the marina, and the question hits: do I need a licence to drive one? The short answer is it depends — on the boat’s engine, on how far from the coast you plan to go, and on whether you want to rent bareboat or hop on a skippered cruise. This guide walks you through every scenario you’ll actually face on a Greek boat trip in 2026.

If you’re hoping to avoid the licence question entirely, read our companion piece on renting a boat in Greece without a licence — there’s a generous space the law carves out for licence-free boating.

The 30 HP and 3-mile rule: when you DON’T need a licence

Greek maritime law allows anyone over 18 to operate a boat without a licence provided both conditions are met:

• Engine power is up to 30 HP (with very limited exceptions for slightly higher in some categories)
• You stay within 3 nautical miles of the coast

Boats like the Karel fit squarely inside this rule — a 30 HP outboard, a 3-mile radius, and a full day of self-driven coastal exploration around Preveza, Lefkada and the nearby coves. No paperwork, no exams, no headaches.

Cross either threshold — more than 30 HP, OR further than 3 NM from shore — and the licence requirement kicks in.

The Greek Πιστοποιητικό Ταχύπλοου Σκάφους

The official Greek boat licence is called Άδεια Χειριστή Ταχύπλοου Σκάφους — “Speedboat Operator Certificate”. It’s the licence Greek residents take, and it’s issued by the local Port Authority (Λιμεναρχείο).

What it involves:

• A theoretical course (covers navigation basics, COLREGs, weather, safety, Greek maritime regulations)
• A theory exam at the Port Authority
• A practical exam — boat handling, anchoring, mooring, MOB drill
• Medical certificate, photos, ID

Total time investment: typically 3–6 weeks if you commit. Total cost: around €250–€500 depending on the school. The licence is issued by your local Port Authority and valid indefinitely (subject to medical renewal at certain ages).

This is the practical route if you live in Greece. For visitors, your home-country licence is usually recognised — see next section.

Foreign licences recognised in Greece

If you already hold a recognised boating qualification from your home country, you don’t need to retake exams in Greece. The most commonly accepted certifications are:

• ICC — International Certificate of Competence (UNECE Resolution 40). The international standard, accepted across Europe.
• RYA Day Skipper and higher (Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster). UK qualifications, widely accepted across the Mediterranean.
• National licences from EU member states — German, French, Italian, Dutch, etc. recreational boating licences are typically recognised on reciprocity.
• US sailing certifications — ASA (American Sailing Association) and US Sailing certifications are usually accepted for charter purposes, though policies vary by charter operator.

Always bring the original document plus a translation if your licence isn’t in English or Greek. Charter operators may also ask for a sailing CV (a one-page summary of the boats you’ve sailed and routes you’ve completed) for bareboat hires.

Bareboat charter requirements: more than just a licence

If you want to rent a yacht bareboat in Greek waters, a licence alone usually isn’t enough. Greek maritime regulations require:

• A licensed skipper on board — that’s you (or whichever crew member holds the qualification)
• A co-skipper — a second person on board with documented sailing experience. They don’t necessarily need a separate licence, but they should be able to take the helm if needed
• A signed declaration to the charter operator confirming both

For full-week bareboat hires, a security deposit (€1,500–€4,000 typically) is also required — refundable after the boat is inspected on return. We covered this in detail in our bareboat vs skippered yacht charter guide.

VHF radio operator licence (SRC)

Separate from the boating licence, anyone using a fixed marine VHF radio is technically required to hold a Short Range Certificate (SRC). The SRC is a short, one-day course plus exam. Most foreign boaters already hold it because the same requirement exists across Europe.

In practice, on day trips and short charters with handheld VHFs, the SRC is rarely checked — but if you’re chartering a yacht with a fixed-mount VHF for offshore work, it’s expected.

Insurance and the security deposit

All licenced charters in Greek waters require hull insurance and third-party liability — your charter operator carries this. The security deposit covers your potential excess on any damage during your charter, and it’s released back after the boat is inspected.

Some operators offer a “damage waiver” or “deposit insurance” — a one-time fee (~€200–€500) that drops or eliminates the deposit. Worth considering for longer charters.

Quick reference: what licence for what trip?

• Self-drive boat, up to 30 HP, within 3 NM of coast → No licence needed. Karel-style boats from Preveza fit here.
• Self-drive boat, more than 30 HP OR beyond 3 NM → Licence required. ICC, RYA Day Skipper, or equivalent EU national licence.
• Bareboat charter of a 30–50 foot yacht → Licence + co-skipper + sailing CV.
• Skippered day trip or week-long charter → No licence needed. The captain holds everything required.
• Fixed VHF radio operation → SRC certificate.

Don’t have a licence yet? You still have options.

If you’re visiting Preveza without a boat licence, you’re not stuck on land. Two excellent options give you a full Ionian boat day without any paperwork:

1. Licence-free self-drive boats. The Karel at Cruise Escape is a 30 HP boat with a 3-mile coastal radius — you take the helm, no licence needed, full day of independence.
2. Skippered private cruises. A skippered day trip with Lobster, Technohull or Tropida Saita gets you to Lefkada, Paxos, Meganisi or Ithaca with a professional captain handling everything. You just enjoy the islands.

Either option puts you on the water within 24 hours of asking. Get in touch with your dates and we’ll match you with the right boat for your day on the Ionian — licence or not.