Boating Licence Croatia:
Which Certificates Are Accepted?

Croatian Maritime Law

Why You Need a Licence to Rent a Boat in Croatia

Under the Ordinance on Boats and Yachts (Official Gazette No. 27/05, as amended), at least one person on any chartered boat in Croatian waters must hold a valid navigational licence. This applies to all motorboats, sailing yachts, and catamarans regardless of size or engine power above 15 kW (approximately 20 hp).

Croatian port authorities and coastguard actively check documentation, particularly during peak season (July and August). Sailing without the correct licence can result in the boat being impounded and fines issued to both the skipper and the charter operator.

The good news: Croatia has bilateral Memoranda of Understanding with a large number of countries, meaning most international boating certificates are directly recognised without needing to take a Croatian exam.

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VHF Radio Certificate

The VHF Radio Certificate: Not Required at Adria Boats

None of our rental boats are fitted with a VHF radio, which means you do not need a VHF radio certificate (SRC) to rent a boat with us. Your navigation licence alone is sufficient. This removes one of the most common causes of confusion for charter guests arriving in Croatia.

For general reference: when a boat in Croatia is fitted with a VHF marine radio, Croatian law requires that the operator also holds a valid radio operator's certificate, typically the SRC (Short Range Certificate). This applies to boats elsewhere in Croatia that carry VHF equipment, but not to any Adria Boats boat.

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Most Common Accepted Licences

The Certificates Most of Our Guests Hold

Below are the most frequently presented licences at our base at Amadria Yacht Marina, Šibenik, and what each one permits in Croatian waters.

RYA (Royal Yachting Association), United Kingdom

The most common certificate among British and international guests. Multiple levels are recognised:

• RYA Powerboat Level 2 and Advanced Powerboat, coastal navigation, yachts up to 30 GT
• RYA Day Skipper (practical), coastal and international Adriatic navigation, yachts up to 30 GT
• RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, international Adriatic navigation, yachts up to 500 GT
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Ocean, unlimited navigation, yachts up to 500 GT
• RYA ICC (International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft), coastal navigation, yachts up to 30 GT

ICC (International Certificate of Competence)

The ICC is issued by national sailing authorities in many countries (including via RYA in the UK, via donau/ÖSV/MSVÖ in Austria, IYT internationally, and others). It is widely accepted across Croatia for coastal navigation. Check that your ICC includes the appropriate endorsement (power or sail) for the boat you intend to charter.

IYT (International Yacht Training), International

IYT certificates are issued internationally through Canada-based IYT. The following are recognised in Croatia:

• International Bareboat Skipper, international Adriatic navigation, up to 100 GT
• Yachtmaster Coastal, international Adriatic navigation, up to 200 GT
• Yachtmaster Offshore / Ocean, unlimited navigation, up to 200 GT
• ICC (IYT-issued), coastal navigation, up to 30 GT

German Licences (Sportbootführerschein See / SKS / SHS)

All three main German sea licences are recognised in Croatia:

• Sportboot-Führerschein See (SBF See), coastal navigation, up to 30 GT
• Sportküstenschifferschein (SKS, 30 nm), international Adriatic, up to 500 GT
• Sporthochseeschifferschein (SHS, worldwide), unlimited navigation, up to 500 GT

Austrian Licences (ÖSV / MSVÖ / via donau ICC)

Austria has one of the most comprehensive recognition agreements. Certificates issued since January 2012 are the via donau ICC certificates. Pre-2012 ÖSV and MSVÖ certificates remain valid until their expiry date. Coverage ranges from near-coastal (3 nm) through to unlimited ocean navigation depending on certificate level.

ASA / USSA (American Sailing Association / US Sailing), USA

• ASA Bareboat Chartering (104) / USSA Basic Cruising or Bareboat Cruising, coastal, up to 30 GT
• ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising (106) / USSA Coastal Passagemaking, international Adriatic, up to 100 GT
• ASA Offshore Passagemaking (108) / USSA Offshore Passagemaking, unlimited, up to 500 GT

French Permis Plaisance

• Option côtière (coastal), coastal navigation, up to 30 GT
• Extension Grande plaisance fluviale, international Adriatic, up to 30 GT
• Extension Hauturière, unlimited navigation, up to 100 GT

Croatian Licence (Boat Skipper Categories A, B, C)

If you do not hold a recognised foreign licence, you can obtain a Croatian licence by passing an exam at a local Harbourmaster's office. Category B (coastal) can be obtained in one to three days and permits bareboat charter of boats up to 30 GT in Croatian territorial waters. It is internationally recognised and valid in many other countries.

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No Licence: Skippered Charter

What to Do If You Don't Hold a Recognised Licence

If you do not hold a valid boating licence, or hold a licence that does not cover the boat size or navigation area you require, the simplest solution is a skippered charter.

With a skippered rental from Adria Boats, one of our licensed local skippers takes care of all navigation and safety responsibilities. No boating licence is required by you. The boat is still exclusively yours for the day, the skipper handles the helm, you decide where to go.

This is also the recommended option for first-time renters who hold a licence but are unfamiliar with the specific conditions of the Šibenik channel and outer archipelago. Local knowledge makes a significant difference to the quality and safety of the day.

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Full Country List

Accepted Licences by Country

The following countries have bilateral agreements with the Croatian Administration. Certificates issued by the relevant authorities in these states are recognised for operating charter boats in Croatian waters. Click any country to see the specific certificates and their scope.