Boat licenses and boating in Greece: what you need to know before renting

In the eastern Mediterranean, chartering a yacht in Greece is one of the most popular watersports activities, and it is also the country where our clients ask the most questions about navigation documents. This FAQ takes stock of the regulatory requirements in force, as our Greek partners (Kiriacoulis, Athenian Yachts, Sail Aegean, Vliho Yacht Club, Paralos Yachting, SeaStar Sailing, etc.) pass them on to us daily, and as they emerge from our concierge team's files. The regulations have evolved in stages since 2019, with an important step in 2025 regarding the English translation of French and European licenses. We regularly handle cases where a license that is perfectly valid in its country of origin causes problems when picking up the boat at a Greek marina. Better to plan ahead.

The Greek regulatory framework: what the law says

In Greece, bareboat chartering is governed by the Greek Ministry of Mercantile Marine and the local port authorities (Limenarchio). On arrival at the base, the charter company has a legal obligation to check the crew's documents before the port authorizes the boat to leave. The general rule, constantly reiterated by our Greek partners, is that at least one member of the crew must present a boating license at "offshore" level (open-sea navigation, day and night), and that a second experienced crew member must also be listed on the crew list to assist the skipper (or "person in command") with maneuvers. The usual upper limit for a bareboat charter is 24 meters: beyond that, a professional captain is required.

Final approval of the application rests with the Greek port authorities, which check the documents on the day of departure. Our role, as an agency, is to anticipate the compliance of the application upstream with the charter company, but we cannot guarantee a decision that ultimately belongs to the port.

Regulations that have evolved in stages

Greek license requirements have not been set in stone: they have gradually tightened, and our back office keeps track of this through the information campaigns sent to clients at each change.

1.  March 2019: the Greek authorities stopped accepting the RYA Day Skipper, considered insufficient because limited to daytime navigation.
2.  Summer 2022: first wave of "changes to navigation requirements in Greece" notices passed on by our partners, who reinforced their document checks.
3.  Spring 2025: formalization of the requirement for a sworn English translation of licenses not drafted in English, communicated by circular from Greek charter companies (notably Kiriacoulis, official letter of May 28, 2025).

At each of these stages, Filovent systematically contacts the clients concerned at booking confirmation and again in the weeks leading up to departure, to make sure the translation and documents are in order. Our concierge team triggers several dozen reminders per month on this topic on average during high season.

Which licenses are accepted in Greece?

International licenses accepted as they stand

Three international qualifications are recognized directly by the Greek authorities, with no particular formalities:

1.  ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent. This is the most widely recognized qualification in the Mediterranean, issued on the basis of UNECE Resolution 40. Greece has not formally ratified this resolution, but its authorities accept the ICC in practice, which makes it the safest license for chartering a boat in the country.
2.  RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion, equivalent or higher (RYA Yachtmaster). Note: the RYA Day Skipper (limited to daytime navigation) has not been accepted by the Greek port authorities since March 2019.
3.  ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Certificate or equivalent (American system).

French licenses: accepted on condition of translation

To get a clear view of the different boating licenses and their limits, you should know that three French qualifications are affected by the Greek requirements:

1.  Permis Côtier (coastal option of the French recreational boating license, up to 6 miles from a shelter).
2.  Permis Hauturier (offshore extension, with no distance limit).
3.  Permis Mer (former historical license still held by many sailors over 50).

Non-French licenses: equivalent rules

Filovent serves a broad international client base (United States, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain), and the question of non-French national licenses comes up regularly. The rule is in practice the same as for the French license: the Greek authorities accept national EU licenses (Italian patente nautica, German Sportbootführerschein See, British Yachtmaster, Belgian license, Spanish license, etc.) provided they are accompanied by a sworn English translation and submitted for prior validation by our concierge team. For non-EU licenses (United States, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, etc.), we check on a case-by-case basis with the Greek partner, who may ask for additional supporting documents of experience. American clients holding an ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certificate or a US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certificate generally have an accepted file directly, but the same logic applies: prior validation by our concierge team is strongly recommended.

The French boating license is now a laminated card

Many clients believe that their boating license corresponds to the paper document they received when they passed the exam, sometimes twenty years ago. Since October 2024, the French recreational boating license has been issued in the form of a secure laminated card, in credit-card format, incorporating a QR code that can be authenticated via the SMART VERIFY app. It is this original physical card that the Greek port authorities require when handing over the boat. All other formats are systematically refused:

1.  Photocopy or scan (even certified as a true copy).
2.  Photo on a phone or tablet.
3.  PDF stored in an electronic wallet app.
4.  CERFA provisional certificate printed while awaiting receipt of the card (to be validated case by case with the concierge team, not guaranteed).

If you have lost the laminated card, you need to apply for a duplicate from the relevant DDTM/DML (or directly online at demarches-plaisance.gouv.fr), for a cost of 78 € in tax stamps and an average lead time of 3 to 4 weeks, which can rise to 6 weeks in high season. Plan well ahead: if you are leaving in less than a month and no longer have the card, the duplicate may not arrive in time.

The 12-mile rule: why a coastal license alone may not be enough

In Greece, recreational boating is allowed up to 12 nautical miles offshore. The French coastal license, however, only allows navigation up to 6 miles from a shelter. In practice, a holder of a coastal license alone may find their application refused or restricted by some charter companies and some port authorities, who consider that the authorized navigation area does not cover the whole Greek archipelago (crossings between the Cycladic islands in particular frequently exceed 6 miles from the nearest coast).

Our concierge team handles this type of file regularly: the Greek partner then asks whether the client can provide a license that allows navigation up to 12 miles, or failing that obtain an offshore extension before departure. Several cases in 2026 were successfully resolved when the client obtained an offshore extension in the weeks before the cruise. If the extension is not feasible within the timeframe, there are two solutions:

1.  Obtain an ICC from the French sailing federation or a recognized organization (lead times can reach 3 weeks, so plan ahead).
2.  Hire a professional skipper for the cruise, which removes the license requirement on the client side.

In practice, the question of the navigation area mainly arises for cruises in the Cyclades and for chartering in the Dodecanese, where distances between islands frequently exceed 6 miles from a shelter. For the Ionian Sea (Corfu, Lefkada, Kefalonia), distances between islands are shorter and a coastal license may be accepted, subject to confirmation from our partner at the time of booking.

The skipper declaration and the sailing résumé

Beyond the license itself, Greek charter companies systematically request, when confirming the file, a sailing résumé (sailing CV) detailing the experience of the person in charge of navigation: number of years of practice, types of boat handled, sailing areas covered, total days at sea. This document is requested by almost all our Greek partners (Kiriacoulis, Sunsail, Athenian Yachts, Vliho Yacht Club, etc.) when finalizing the booking. Filovent provides a standardized sailing résumé form in your client area, to be filled in online at the time of the crew list. To give you the right reflexes, we have written a practical guide "How to write a successful sailing résumé", which details the information to highlight and the pitfalls to avoid.

The co-skipper: an experienced second crew member is mandatory

The Greek port authorities require that at least one second adult experienced crew member appears on the crew list, in addition to the skipper holding the license. This co-skipper must be able to assist the person in command if needed (maneuvers, mooring, watchkeeping). In most cases, the co-skipper does not need to present a boating license, but must declare their sailing experience. Some marinas (notably Alimos in Athens) are stricter and may ask the co-skipper to sign a declaration of honor (Declaration of Honour) attesting to their skills. The form is generally provided by the charter company at the time of handover.

The SRC: essential to use the VHF in Greece

The French Certificat Restreint de Radiotéléphoniste (CRR), equivalent to the American FCC Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP) or the British Short Range Certificate (SRC), is issued in France by the National Frequency Agency (ANFR), and is compulsory as soon as you use a VHF (fixed or portable) outside French territorial waters. Since all Greek charter bases provide a boat fitted with a fixed VHF, the CRR (or its international equivalent) is de facto required to use this safety equipment, which is also essential for calling for help in an emergency. The French boating license (coastal or offshore) does not exempt you from the CRR abroad: these are two separate qualifications. For American clients, a domestic FCC operator permit is generally accepted in practice, but our concierge team can confirm this on a case-by-case basis.

Summary of documents to present to the Greek charter company

Real-life cases: what our concierge tickets tell us

Across the 2025 and 2026 seasons alone, our concierge team has handled several hundred exchanges on the question of licenses for Greece. Four types of difficulties come up particularly often.

Case no. 1: the English translation not anticipated

In May 2025, one of our clients chartering a Lagoon 380 in Paros for September 2025 received, a few weeks before departure, a notification from our partner Kiriacoulis informing them of the new Greek requirements. They had to urgently have their offshore license translated by a sworn translator, then send us the translation and a copy of the original license before embarking. The application was validated in time, but the episode illustrates the value of anticipating the translation as soon as the booking is confirmed, especially in high season when translation lead times can reach 10 to 15 business days. Our concierge team now systematically alerts clients on this point at contract signing.

Case no. 2: a coastal license insufficient for the planned navigation area

In March 2026, a client preparing a cruise in Greece contacted us to check the compliance of their license. Our Greek partner immediately came back to us pointing out that the coastal license held (limited to 6 miles from a shelter) did not cover the authorized navigation area in Greece (12 miles). The client started the process of taking the offshore extension before departure. A representative case: a coastal license alone is rarely enough for a cruise in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese, where distances between islands frequently exceed 6 miles. For the Ionian Sea, distances between islands are shorter and a coastal license can be accepted, but this remains to be validated in advance with the charter base.

Case no. 3: the license "valid in France" but incomplete abroad

Another recurring file concerns clients who hold a French boating license but not the CRR. The VHF fitted on the chartered boat cannot then be used legally in Greece, which above all raises a safety issue: in the event of a breakdown, a storm warning to be received or a distress call, the VHF is the main tool. We systematically recommend that our clients chartering in Croatia, Greece or elsewhere in the Mediterranean take the CRR before the charter if they have not already done so, regardless of their boating license.

Case no. 4: the digital license or the provisional certificate without a physical card

Several times in 2025 and 2026, clients contacted us a few weeks before departure to tell us they only had a digital version of their license left: a scan in a mailbox, a photo taken years ago, or a CERFA provisional certificate printed while waiting for the laminated card. Our Greek partners systematically refuse these formats: only the original laminated card is accepted on the day of departure. In most cases, we have directed the client towards a duplicate application with the DDTM (lead time 3 to 6 weeks, 78 € tax stamp); in a few urgent cases where departure was too close, hiring a professional skipper was the only solution to save the trip. The reflex to adopt: check physical possession of the license card as soon as the booking is confirmed, and launch a duplicate without delay if in doubt.

Frequently asked questions

Is my French coastal license sufficient to charter in Greece?

The French coastal license is accepted in theory by the Greek authorities, provided it is accompanied by a sworn English translation. However, as it is limited to 6 miles from a shelter while navigation in Greece is allowed up to 12 miles, some charter companies and some port authorities may consider that it does not cover the whole planned cruising area. For the Cyclades, the Dodecanese or the Aegean Sea in general, we strongly recommend holding the offshore license or an ICC. For the Ionian Sea (Lefkada, Corfu, Kefalonia), a coastal license may be enough, but this is to be validated in advance with the charter base. To go further on the obligations by country, see our FAQ "Is a boating license mandatory to charter a boat?".

What level of skipper is required to charter in Greece?

The skipper (also known as the "person in command", a term used by sailing schools such as les Glénans or the FFV) must meet two conditions: (1) hold a valid boating license in their country of origin, accepted by the Greek authorities, and (2) demonstrate sufficient sailing experience on a boat of comparable type and size to the one they are about to charter. That is the role of the sailing résumé. In practice, for a sailboat charter in Greece on a 40 to 50 foot monohull or a 40 to 45 foot catamaran, charter companies expect at least a few week-long cruises as skipper on a similar boat, ideally in the Mediterranean.

Do I need to have my boating license translated for Greece?

Yes, since 2025 an English translation produced by a sworn translator has been required for licenses not drafted in English: French license (coastal, offshore, permis Mer), Italian patente nautica, German Sportbootführerschein, and other national licenses. The translation must be sent to concierge@filovent.com together with a copy of the original license, specifying the first name and last name of the holder and the first name and last name of the person who made the booking. Filovent then forwards these documents to the Greek partner, who obtains prior approval from the port authorities. Allow between 50 and 100 euros for a sworn translation depending on the provider, and 5 to 15 business days lead time.

How long does it take to get an ICC in France?

The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is issued in France by the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile) on application, on the basis of an existing boating license. Allow generally 3 to 4 weeks lead time between submission of the file and receipt of the ICC. If your cruise is imminent, the lead time may be insufficient: start the process as soon as your booking is confirmed.

Is the RYA Day Skipper accepted in Greece?

No, the RYA Day Skipper has no longer been accepted by the Greek port authorities since March 2019, due to its limitation to daytime navigation. Only the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion and higher levels (RYA Yachtmaster) are recognized. If you hold a Day Skipper, we recommend obtaining a complementary ICC from the RYA, which issues it on application to Day Skipper holders.

What happens if I have lost the laminated card of my boating license?

You need to apply for a duplicate from the DDTM (Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea) competent for your department of residence, either online at demarches-plaisance.gouv.fr or by mail with the CERFA 14679*02 form. The cost is 78 € (electronic tax stamp) and the average lead time for receipt is 3 weeks, up to 6 weeks in high season. Without the original card, your application cannot be validated by the Greek authorities on the day of departure: start the process as soon as your booking is confirmed if you have the slightest doubt about the physical possession of your license.

What happens if the Greek port authority refuses my license on the day of departure?

This scenario is rare when the file has been validated upstream by our concierge team, but it remains theoretically possible since final acceptance belongs to the port. In the event of refusal, the charter company may impose the hire of a professional skipper at your expense (in the region of 190 to 280 € per day depending on the season, plus food). If you refuse, the boat may not be handed over to you and the amounts paid may be lost. It is precisely this risk that upstream validation of the file is designed to avoid, which is why we are so insistent on sending the documents to concierge@filovent.com well before departure.

Do I need a license if I hire a professional skipper?

No. As part of a skippered yacht charter, it is the skipper who holds the license and the necessary certifications (generally a Greek Captain's License, plus commercial experience). No qualification is required from the client. This is an ideal solution for groups with no sailing experience or in case of doubt about the compliance of your file.

Can I hire a motorboat without a license in Greece?

Yes, but only for motorboats with power of 30 horsepower or less. Beyond that, a license is required. This tolerance essentially concerns small RIBs for day hire, and does not apply to motor yacht charters or to larger yacht and catamaran charters, for which a license is systematically required.

What if I charter in Turkey or Croatia from Greece?

If your cruise starts in Greece but you plan to cross into Turkey or elsewhere, be aware that requirements can differ from one country to another. In Croatia, a VHF radio certificate (French CRR or equivalent Short Range Certificate) is required for all charterers, in addition to the boating license. In Turkey, the ICC is not legally mandatory but remains required in practice by almost all charter companies as proof of competence. Specify your itinerary to your Filovent advisor at the time of booking so that we can verify regulatory compliance end to end. Note also that leaving Greek waters with a boat chartered in Greece requires the explicit authorization of the charter company and may involve additional costs (taxes, customs formalities).

If in doubt, talk to our concierge team

The Greek license regulations can seem complex, especially when they change from one season to the next as was the case in 2025. Our concierge team handles this type of file every day and is familiar with the particularities of each marina (Athens/Alimos, Lefkada, Corfu, Lavrion, Kos, Rhodes, Volos, etc.) as well as the specific requirements of each of our charter partners. If you have any doubts about the validity of your license or whether you need to take additional steps, do not hesitate to contact us by email at concierge@filovent.com or by phone on +33 1 70 80 97 35.