Do You Need a Licence to Charter a Yacht? (2026 Guide)

Short answer: yes for bareboat, no for anything skippered. If you don’t hold a licence you can still charter — you just hire someone who does, and it costs less than most people assume.

What’s required

For bareboat in the Mediterranean you generally need two documents: a recognised skipper’s licence and a separate VHF radio operator’s certificate. The radio ticket catches people out constantly — it’s a short course, but without it Croatian authorities can refuse to release the boat.

Which licences are accepted

Commonly accepted across Croatia, Greece and Turkey:

• ICC (International Certificate of Competence) — the most universally recognised
• RYA Day Skipper — widely accepted, often needs an ICC alongside it
• ASA 104 — usually accepted, occasionally queried in Croatia
• National licences from most EU states

Always confirm with the specific operator before paying. Requirements vary by country and change; a licence accepted in Turkey may be refused in Croatia.

What a skipper actually costs

€150–200 a day, so roughly €1,050–1,400 a week, plus their food (budget €100–150). Split across a group that’s modest:

At six or more it’s around €200 each for a professional who knows the coast, handles every mooring, and reads the weather properly. That is not a luxury.

The case for a skipper even if you’re qualified

Holding a licence doesn’t always mean bareboat is the better choice on a first Mediterranean trip:

• Med mooring — reversing into a tight berth between two boats in a crosswind. It’s a skill, and you learn it in public.
• Local knowledge — which bays shelter from which wind direction is knowledge you can’t get from a chart.
• The deposit — with a professional aboard, the risk of an expensive scrape drops considerably.

If you’re newly qualified, a flotilla is the sensible middle path — your own boat, professional support nearby. More on that in bareboat vs crewed vs flotilla.

Getting qualified

An ICC or RYA Day Skipper is typically 5 days and £500–900, often done as a liveaboard week. Add a one-day VHF course. Worth it if you plan to charter regularly; not worth rushing for a single holiday.

👉 Compare skippered and bareboat charters

In short

Not having a licence is not a barrier. Hire a skipper, split the cost, and you’ll likely have a better week than you would white-knuckling your first Med mooring.

Next: what a Croatia charter really costs for the full budget, and Croatia vs Greece vs Turkey to pick your region.

This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We don’t operate charters — which is why we can tell you what the advertised price leaves out.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charter without any sailing licence?

Yes — book skippered or crewed. Only bareboat and flotilla charters require a licence.

Which licences are accepted?

ICC is the most widely recognised. RYA Day Skipper and ASA 104 are usually accepted, but always confirm with the specific operator before paying.

What is the VHF certificate?

A separate radio operator’s licence, required alongside your skipper’s licence for bareboat. It’s a short course, and forgetting it can stop you collecting the boat.

How much does a skipper cost?

€150–200 a day plus their food, so roughly €1,050–1,400 a week. Split between six people that’s about €200 each.