Chartering a boat in Spain: licence, rules and safety
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LICENCEOn a foreign-flagged yacht whose flag matches the skipper's nationality, the licence required is the one required by the law of the skipper's country. To skipper a Spanish-flagged boat (e.g. a charter yacht), citizens of the EEA and of countries listed in Annex IX of RD 875/2014 need authorisation from the Capitanía Marítima, based on a recreational licence from their country of nationality or residence. Without a licence (from age 18): private use of a motorboat up to 5 m with at most 15 CV and no power-reducing device, sport use of a sailing boat up to 6 m, or a beach or floating craft — by day only and no more than 2 nm from the port, marina or beach you left (RD 875/2014 art. 10 as amended by RD 1188/2025, in force since 1 October 2026). Since that date, renting one of these boats needs the corresponding licence. Jet skis are never covered by this exemption.
EMERGENCY AT SEACall 112 and ask for Salvamento Marítimo. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.
Licence and charter rules
Licence: On a foreign-flagged yacht whose flag matches the skipper's nationality, the licence required is the one required by the law of the skipper's country. To skipper a Spanish-flagged boat (e.g. a charter yacht), citizens of the EEA and of countries listed in Annex IX of RD 875/2014 need authorisation from the Capitanía Marítima, based on a recreational licence from their country of nationality or residence. Without a licence (from age 18): private use of a motorboat up to 5 m with at most 15 CV and no power-reducing device, sport use of a sailing boat up to 6 m, or a beach or floating craft — by day only and no more than 2 nm from the port, marina or beach you left (RD 875/2014 art. 10 as amended by RD 1188/2025, in force since 1 October 2026). Since that date, renting one of these boats needs the corresponding licence. Jet skis are never covered by this exemption.
BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014) · BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014) · BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014, art. 10, redacción en vigor desde el 01/10/2026) · BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014, art. 10) · BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014, art. 10.2) · BOE (Real Decreto 875/2014, art. 10.3) · BOE (Real Decreto 1188/2025, preámbulo) · BOE (Real Decreto 1188/2025, disposición final segunda.2) ▾
Arriving by boat
Yachts arriving from another Schengen country face no border check. A yacht from a non-Schengen country (e.g. the UK) must use a border-crossing port; only exceptionally may it enter another port, after notifying the port authority and lodging a list of everyone on board.
Boletín Oficial del Estado (EU Schengen Borders Code, Reg. 2016/399) · Boletín Oficial del Estado (EU Schengen Borders Code, Reg. 2016/399) · Boletín Oficial del Estado (EU Schengen Borders Code, Reg. 2016/399) ▾
Season and weather
Forecast: Marine forecasts come from AEMET (www.aemet.es). They are broadcast on VHF by the Salvamento Marítimo centres and coast stations and by NAVTEX; AEMET's METEONAV gives sea-state forecasts for a planned route.
Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) · Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) ▾
Rules on the water
Life jackets: Spanish-registered pleasure boats (and foreign-flagged boats used by Spanish residents) must carry at least one lifejacket with a light for each person on board.
BOE (Real Decreto 339/2021) · BOE (Real Decreto 339/2021) ▾
Barcelona and the Costa Brava: Inside the port of Barcelona, leisure boats may only use the North area, going directly in or out. Leisure boats are generally not allowed to anchor in port waters.
Port of Barcelona traffic ordinance (BOE-A-2023-6719) · Port of Barcelona traffic ordinance (BOE-A-2023-6719) ▾
Barcelona and the Costa Brava: The speed limit inside the port of Barcelona is 6 knots.
Port of Barcelona traffic ordinance (BOE-A-2023-6719) ▾
Barcelona and the Costa Brava: In the Cap de Creus natural park the speed limit is 12 knots, and 5 knots within 300 m of the coast. Navigation is allowed everywhere except the S'Encalladora integral reserve.
Parc Natural de Cap de Creus (Generalitat de Catalunya) · Parc Natural de Cap de Creus (Generalitat de Catalunya) ▾
Barcelona and the Costa Brava: Cap de Creus has no-anchoring sectors at Cala Murtra, Cala Jugadora and Cala Galladera.
Parc Natural de Cap de Creus (Generalitat de Catalunya) ▾
Barcelona and the Costa Brava: In the strictly protected zone of the Medes Islands, the park lists mooring at pre-set places and sailing at up to 3 knots as allowed; dropping anchor is listed as prohibited.
Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter (Generalitat de Catalunya) · Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter (Generalitat de Catalunya) ▾
Ibiza: Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica seagrass is banned throughout Balearic waters. Anchor on sand or use an authorised buoy field.
Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Inside the marina the speed limit is 2 knots.
Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (BOE-A-2025-1108, Marina de Las Palmas ordinance) ▾
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Yachts may generally anchor only in the anchorage off Las Alcaravaneras beach, and anchoring there is not authorised from 15 March to 15 September. Anchoring in the marina's access channels and manoeuvring areas is banned except in an emergency.
Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (BOE-A-2025-1108, Marina de Las Palmas ordinance) · Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (BOE-A-2025-1108, Marina de Las Palmas ordinance) ▾
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Spanish cetacean rules apply: when watching whales or dolphins keep a steady speed of no more than 4 knots, and if they come within 60 m put the engine in neutral or stop.
BOE (Real Decreto 1727/2007, cetacean protection) · BOE (Real Decreto 1727/2007, cetacean protection) ▾
Menorca: Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica seagrass is banned throughout Balearic waters. Anchor on sand or use an authorised buoy field.
Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾
Menorca: Fornells bay has a regulated buoy field: skippers must moor to the buoys provided and may not drop anchor. Illa d'en Colom (s'Albufera des Grau) is also listed as a regulated buoy-field zone.
Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) · Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) · Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾
Palma de Mallorca: Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica seagrass is banned throughout Balearic waters. Anchor on sand or use an authorised buoy field.
Govern de les Illes Balears (Cuidam la posidònia) ▾
Palma de Mallorca: To sail, anchor or dive in the Cabrera Archipelago National Park you need an authorisation, requested online in advance.
Govern de les Illes Balears (Espacios naturales protegidos) ▾
Hazards and warnings
Orcas: in the Gulf of Cádiz–Strait of Gibraltar area and off Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, take extra care from April to October and keep close to the coast. If orcas interact, do not stop; head towards the coast and shallower water, keep people away from the sides, and report it to Salvamento Marítimo on VHF 16.
Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Marina Mercante) · Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Marina Mercante) · Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Marina Mercante) · Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Marina Mercante) ▾
On the radio
Spain's coast radio network keeps a permanent watch on VHF 16 and DSC 70, reaching about 35 nm offshore (sea area A1).
Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) · Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) ▾
VHF and MF coast stations broadcast AEMET weather bulletins and navigational warnings on their working channels after an announcement on VHF 16 (MF 2182 kHz). NAVTEX is transmitted from Tarifa, Coruña, Cabo la Nao and Las Palmas.
Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) · Salvamento Marítimo (SASEMAR) ▾
Charter bases in Spain
Before you sail
Frequently asked
Do I need a licence to charter a boat in Spain?
On a foreign-flagged yacht whose flag matches the skipper's nationality, the licence required is the one required by the law of the skipper's country. To skipper a Spanish-flagged boat (e.g. a charter yacht), citizens of the EEA and of countries listed in Annex IX of RD 875/2014 need authorisation from the Capitanía Marítima, based on a recreational licence from their country of nationality or residence. Without a licence (from age 18): private use of a motorboat up to 5 m with at most 15 CV and no power-reducing device, sport use of a sailing boat up to 6 m, or a beach or floating craft — by day only and no more than 2 nm from the port, marina or beach you left (RD 875/2014 art. 10 as amended by RD 1188/2025, in force since 1 October 2026). Since that date, renting one of these boats needs the corresponding licence. Jet skis are never covered by this exemption.
When is the best time to sail in Spain, and when is storm season?
Marine forecasts come from AEMET (www.aemet.es). They are broadcast on VHF by the Salvamento Marítimo centres and coast stations and by NAVTEX; AEMET's METEONAV gives sea-state forecasts for a planned route.
How do I clear in when arriving in Spain by boat?
Yachts arriving from another Schengen country face no border check. A yacht from a non-Schengen country (e.g. the UK) must use a border-crossing port; only exceptionally may it enter another port, after notifying the port authority and lodging a list of everyone on board.
What is the emergency number at sea in Spain?
Call 112 and ask for Salvamento Marítimo. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Other charter countries
Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.