Can I Bareboat Charter in Greece Without a License?

Do Bareboat Requirements in Greece Change by Boat Type?

Bareboat License Requirements in Greece by Boat Type

Boat Type	Greece Typical Requirement	Croatia Typical Requirement	Italy Typical Requirement	Notes for Guests
Sailing Monohull	ICC, SLC, ASA 104 + IPC, or RYA Day Skipper. VHF required. A co-skipper is required.	Same as Greece. No co-skipper required.	Same accepted licenses; originals often submitted in advance.	Bring original licenses. Co-skipper must sign competency declaration.
Sailing Catamaran	Same as monohulls plus co-skipper; ASA 114 helps with approval.	Same legal requirements; ASA 114 recommended.	Same legal rules; ASA 114 supports multihull handling.	Fleet operators look closely at multihull experience.
Power Catamaran	ICC, US PowerBoating Association – “Inshore Powerboat Cruising” or above (you may have similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association instead). RYA – “Level 2 Powerboat Handling” or above. VHF required	ICC, US PowerBoating Association – “Inshore Powerboat Cruising” or above (you may have similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association instead). RYA – “Level 2 Powerboat Handling” or above. VHF required	ICC, US PowerBoating Association – “Inshore Powerboat Cruising” or above (you may have similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association instead). RYA – “Level 2 Powerboat Handling” or above. VHF required	Real-world power handling is crucial for approval.

Which Sailing Licenses Do I Need to Meet Greece’s Bareboat Requirements?

Greece accepts:

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence). Often described as a driver’s license for boats and is widely used as a legal requirement for bareboat charters in many European and Mediterranean waters.
• NauticEd SLC (Sailing License and Credentials). Requires online theory, documented experience, and an on-the-water skills assessment, and is accepted by many charter companies and port authorities, including those in Croatia and other Mediterranean countries.
• ASA 104 + IPC (International Proficiency Certificate). Issued by ASA to sailors who hold ASA 101, 103, and 104, along with current ASA membership. Functions as proof of competence for bareboat chartering, especially in the Mediterranean and parts of Europe, when accepted by the charter company.
• RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Day Skipper or above. Many Mediterranean charter companies accept RYA Day Skipper Practical or above, combined with a VHF certificate, as sufficient proof of competence for coastal bareboat charters.
  • Higher level RYA qualifications, such as Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster, can provide even greater flexibility for night passages and more advanced itineraries, depending on local regulations and charter company policies.

Original licenses must be presented at boarding.

Why do I need a co-skipper for a Bareboat Charter in Greece?

Your co-skipper must be able to:

• Assist with docking
• Handle lines
• Support anchoring
• Participate in safety procedures

If no one qualifies, some fleets allow a professional skipper for day one.

Is My Sailing Experience Enough to Bareboat Charter in Greece?

Difficulty varies by region:

• Ionian Sea: Level 1 (beginner friendly)
• Saronic Gulf: Level 2 (moderate winds)
• Cyclades: Level 3 (strong meltemi winds, advanced only)

Recommended experience:

• 10+ days as skipper
• 200+ nautical miles logged
• Comfortable with cross-wind docking

What License Do I Need to Charter a Sailing Catamaran in Greece?

Charter companies value:

• ASA 114
• Multihull maneuvering experience
• Confidence docking in windy island marinas

What Paperwork Is Required to Charter a Yacht in Greece?

You will need:

• Skipper license (ICC, SLC, IPC, RYA)
• Co-skipper declaration
• Passport copies
• Crew list
• VHF license (recommended)

Which Sailing Destinations Match My Sailing Experience?

Some Charter Companies Use A Three Level System

Many large fleets group destinations by experience level. The table below shows a common three level structure that applies to some charter companies and can help guests understand how their experience translates to different cruising grounds.

Experience Level	Minimum Skipper Experience	Description of Sailing Area	Example Destinations*
Level 1	5 days or 100 NM as skipper on equivalent boat	Easiest conditions; line-of-sight sailing, calmer weather, simple mooring	– Corfu, Greece – Agana, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia – British Virgin Islands
Level 2	10 days or 200 NM as skipper	Moderate challenge; stronger winds, longer passages, more open water	– Sicily, Italy – Procida, Italy – Abacos, Bahamas – St Martin, Antigua – Phuket, Thailand
Level 3	20 days or 400 NM as skipper	Most challenging; long open-water legs, stronger tides, remote anchorages	– Belize – Exumas, Bahamas – Seychelles – Sardinia, Italy – French Polynesia, Tahiti – Athens, Greece – St Lucia, Grenada – La Paz, Mexico

These experience levels are a helpful guide and may apply differently across our 20+ partners. Our charter experts at Virgin Island Sailing® will use your logged miles, skipper days, and certifications to match you with suitable Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 destinations in the Caribbean and beyond.

How Can I Submit My Sailing License for Approval in Greece?

Share your ASA certifications and sailing resume, and our Charter Experts will confirm which Greek sailing monohulls, sailing catamarans, and power catamarans you are qualified to skipper and which experience level destinations are the best fit.