Skipper & Boating Licenses Accepted in Greece

Planning to charter a yacht in Greece? Here’s what you need to know about boating licences 

If you’re planning to charter a yacht in Greece , there are a couple of important crew requirements to know about.

You’ll need:

At least one certified skipper

One experienced crew member (First Mate)

Both must be over 18

The skipper should be confident handling a yacht in marinas and tight spaces, anchoring and mooring in different conditions, and using navigation skills to safely plan each day at sea.

The First Mate should have “Competent Crew” level experience or an equivalent certification from a recognised sailing association.

The skipper should know how to handle a yacht confidently — including anchoring, mooring, navigation, and sailing in different conditions.

Accepted licences/certifications in Greece include:

ICC (International Certificate of Competence)

IPC (International Proficiency Certificate)

ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising

US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Course

Canadian certifications such as CYA Intermediate Cruising Standard or Pleasure Craft Operator Card

Important: Since 2019, Greece no longer accepts the RYA Day Skipper certificate on its own. If you have Day Skipper, it’s strongly recommended to also get an ICC.

The First Mate doesn’t necessarily need a licence, but if they don’t have one, they’ll need:

• A sailing resume/CV showing their experience

• A Declaration of Honour confirming they’re competent crew

Also:

Copies of all certificates must usually be sent to the charter company at least 4 weeks before your trip

Bring the original certificates with you — port authorities may ask to see them

Always remember: final approval is up to the local Greek Port Authority on the day of departure.