Do You Need a Licence to Charter a Yacht in Greece?

You need a licence only for a bareboat charter, where you skipper the boat yourself. For crewed charters, day charters and bareboat with a hired skipper, you need nothing. For a bareboat week, the skipper needs a recognised sailing qualification and Greece requires a named second person on the crew list.

Licences generally accepted for bareboat

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence) with sail endorsement: the safest and most widely recognised
• RYA Coastal Skipper or higher, including Yachtmaster
• ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising or equivalent US qualification
• Other national coastal or offshore certificates, subject to the charter company’s approval

Important: sources disagree on RYA Day Skipper. Several guides say it has not been accepted by Greek port authorities since March 2019 because it covers daytime sailing only; other guides and some operators still accept it. Treat it as “confirm in writing before you book”.

Acceptance of any certificate is always decided by the charter company and the port authority, so ask your operator to confirm your qualification in writing.

The second crew member

Greece requires a second named person on the crew list. They usually do not need their own licence, but must be 18 or older, have some boating experience, and often sign a declaration of competence.

Do you need a VHF certificate?

This is where guides disagree. Some say Greece does not require a separate VHF certificate for pleasure charter; others say a short-range certificate (SRC) is needed for the radio. Charter boats carry VHF/DSC radios, and many operators want someone aboard qualified to use them. Our advice: ask your operator, and if you can, get the SRC. It is a short course and removes the risk of being turned away at the base.

What to send the charter company

Send scanned copies of every skipper and co-skipper certificate two to four weeks before departure, and a crew list at least seven days before. Bring the originals. French and other European licences may need a sworn English translation, and coastal licences with a 6-mile limit can be refused for island-hopping, so an ICC is the simplest fix.

No licence? Your options

Hire a skipper (roughly €180–€270 a day plus meals), book a crewed charter, or join a flotilla. See our bareboat vs crewed comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charter in Greece without a licence?

Yes, with a skipper or a crewed charter.

Is the ICC enough?

Usually, yes, and it is the best-supported option. Confirm with your operator.

Does the second crew member need a licence?

Usually no, but they must be named on the crew list and are often asked for a declaration of competence.

Can I use my French coastal licence in the Cyclades?

Check with the operator. A licence limited to 6 miles may be refused for island-hopping.