Sailing license requirements in Greece, according to Europe Yachts Charter

The crew at Europe Yachts Charter investigates the prerequisites for obtaining a license to sail in Greece! Are you considering a sailing vacation in Greece and are interested in chartering a bareboat? This blog post contains all of the information that you require…

In order to sail in Greek waters, you will need to have:

• A captain who possesses a sailing license that is still active
• Valid travel documents
• An experienced boater who is at least 18 years old and a member of the helping crew (co-skipper).
• Insurance that is valid for the charter

At first glance, these four conditions look to be rather attainable and practically uncomplicated; but, there are a few catches! The phrase “valid sailing license” can have quite different connotations depending on where you are in the world… Let’s plunge in and have a more in-depth look at it.

In Greece, a “valid sailing license” can be satisfied by presenting any one of the following certificates or awards:

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence or International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft) (International Certificate of Competence or International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft). The International Criminal Court was established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe through Resolution 40 of the International Working Committee (UNECE). This Resolution has been approved by a number of countries, however Greece is not one of them. On the other hand, Greek port authorities recognize the ICC as evidence of sufficient sailing ability. Although the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is frequently referred to as the permission to sail internationally, it is ultimately up to each government to decide whether or not to recognise it.
• IPC stands for International Proficiency Certificate. The United States of America
• NauticEd SLC is an international certification that stands for “International Sailing Licence and Credentials.”

OR: RYA Day Skipper practical (United Kingdom), USA Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course,” ASA “104 Bareboat Cruising Course” or above, “Sportbootführerschein See” or higher (Germany), or le Permis Plaisance (French).. (France).

You should constantly make sure that your certificates are up to date and compliant by sending them to be reviewed by your Europe Yachts Charter advisor. You should have the original copies of these certifications in your hands so that you may present them to the port authorities to have them validated.

Valid travel documents

Citizens of the United States are exempt from the requirement to get a visa in order to enter Greece for stays of up to ninety days. They are currently exempt from needing to obtain a visa for Schengen (until 2021). Citizens of the United States who wish to visit Greece after 2021 must submit an application for an ETIAS visa (European Travel Information and Authorization System).

European Union (EU) citizens: no visa required.

Citizens of Canada do not need a visa for visits of up to ninety days or less in the United States.

Competent co-skipper

At all times, the skipper should have assistance from at least one member of the crew who has previous experience operating a boat. This crew member’s minimum age requirement for assisting duties is 18 years old.

You will require the following coverage for your insurance:

• Insurance coverage for yachts and boats, as given by the charter firm
• The charter company will be responsible for providing insurance for the charter.
• Insurance for professional skippers’ legal responsibilities

Have you checked off everything on the list? If that’s the case, best of luck! You can now look forward with excitement to the charter that you have scheduled in Greece. Do you still lack clarity regarding your position? It is our pleasure to respond to your inquiries… Make sure to get in touch with us today!

Related reading

Planning your trip? Explore our destinations or check our charter FAQ and request a personalized quote for your dates.

Other guides you might find useful:

• Do I need a sailing license to rent a yacht in Croatia or Greece?
• What types of yachts are available for charter in Croatia and Greece?
• What period is best to charter sailing in Greece

Mediterranean weeks reward shore-side detours — a bottle of Pošip with peka in a Hvar konoba, fresh seafood and Assyrtiko on a Cyclades terrace, or a quick stop in a Sardinian trattoria before the Mistral builds. Each coastline carries its own taste.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book a yacht charter on our team?

Choose your dates and destination, browse our fleet, and use request a quote to lock in pricing. Our team confirms availability with the agency and emails the booking summary within 24 hours.

Do I need a sailing license?

For most bareboat charters in the Mediterranean you need a recognised skipper certificate (RYA Day Skipper, ICC, or equivalent) plus a VHF licence. If you don’t hold one, we book a professional skipper alongside the boat for the week.

What’s included in the price?

The base charter fee covers the boat, standard equipment, insurance, and final cleaning fee in most cases. Extras such as fuel, port fees, transit log, tourist tax and skipper service are billed separately and explained in the booking summary.

How far in advance should I book?

For peak weeks (mid-July to late August) we recommend booking 6–9 months ahead to lock in the boat and the early-bird discount. Shoulder seasons (May, June, September) usually have availability up to a month before departure.

About this guide

This guide was prepared by the our team Charter editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in the Mediterranean since 2007. Every itinerary, marina, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed charter agencies. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.europe-yachts.com/contact — we update guides quarterly.