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. It is the first thing to check before any bareboat yacht charter in Greece.
Sailing licences accepted for a bareboat charter in Greece
- 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, a common format for first-timers in the Ionian. See our bareboat vs crewed comparison.
Once your licence is sorted, our bareboat charter guide for Greece covers costs, check-in and the best regions for your level.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charter a yacht in Greece without a licence?
Yes, as long as you hire a skipper or book a crewed charter. A recognised licence is only required if you charter bareboat and sail the boat yourself.
Is the ICC accepted for a yacht charter in Greece?
Usually yes. The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is the best-supported licence for a bareboat charter in Greece, but always confirm with your charter company before booking.
Does the second crew member need a sailing licence in Greece?
Usually not, but they must be named on the crew list, and operators often ask for a declaration of sailing competence.
Can I use a French coastal licence to charter in the Cyclades?
Check with your operator first. A French coastal licence (permis côtier) is limited to 6 miles from shore and may be refused for island-hopping in the Cyclades.
