WHICH BOAT LICENSE IS NECESSARY FOR MALLORCA OR THE BALEARIC ISLANDS?

The following must be observed with regard to the new regulations coming into force on 11 January 2015 (according to the BOE regulation of 11 October 2014 and the amendments/additions in 2019 and 2024) concerning the operation of recreational and water sports craft in Spain:

DEFINITIONS & GENERAL INFORMATION:

Recreational and watersports boats are limited to 24 meters in length, 300 tons gross tonnage (GT), and 12 passengers (excluding crew). In Spain, a boat license is required for boats longer than 5 meters and for sailboats with a length exceeding 6 meters and an engine power exceeding 15 hp.

Boats that fall below these criteria may be driven without a license, but only if prescribed distances to the coast are observed (see detailed view below).

REGULATIONS FOR CHARTER GUESTS FROM THE EU (OR A COUNTRY LISTED IN THE UG BOE TABLE) WHO DO NOT RESIDENT IN SPAIN:

• To operate a boat flying the Spanish flag, a boating license issued in the charter guest's country of origin is required, subject to the restrictions listed in the table. Otherwise, the regulations of the country of origin on which the license is based apply. For example, a German charter guest who obtained their German boating license in Germany is authorized to operate Spanish-flagged boats in Spanish waters, as the issuing country of the license and the license holder's country of origin are the same.
• Charter guests with a driver's license from a country other than their country of origin must prove that they are either resident in that country or that the license was obtained during a stay there (e.g., for studies or similar). For example, if a German charter guest has obtained a UK driver's license, they must be able to prove that they are either resident in England or were residing there at the time of obtaining the license (e.g., for studies or similar).
• If the boat is operated in Spanish waters under the flag of an EU country (not Spain), the official (mandatory) boat license issued in the respective country of origin is sufficient (subject to any applicable restrictions). If the nationality and license do not match the flag of the boat, the regulations of the guest's country of origin or the country where the license is issued apply.

REGULATIONS FOR CHARTER GUESTS FROM EUROPEAN ABROAD RESIDENTS IN SPAIN:

Non-Spaniards (of foreign origin from an EU country) living in Spain who are registered as residents in Spain and wish to operate a boat flying the Spanish flag require a Spanish boat license. (See below: New regulations for Spanish boat licenses).

Alternatively, it is possible to obtain/have a license/qualification issued/recognized by the maritime authority of your country of origin. Licenses listed in the UK BOE table are recognized.

REGULATIONS FOR SPANISH CHARTER GUESTS WITH A DRIVER'S LICENSE ISSUED ABROAD (NOT IN SPAIN):

Spanish charter guests, if registered as residents in Spain, must possess a Spanish driving licence, unless they are resident in another country (again, the country must be an EU member state or listed in the BOE table). Furthermore, Spanish charter guests must have a valid document proving their residency (ID card, driving licence, passport, etc.).

REGULATIONS FOR NON-EU CHARTER GUESTS:

Non-EU citizens are required to have a specific certification to operate a boat, which must be applied for at the respective consulate.

RADIO LICENSE:

If the vessel is also equipped with a radio/telephony system, the charter agency may require a radio operator's certificate. However, a radio operator's certificate is not mandatory.

JET SKI:

Jet ski operators must also possess a valid license. A coastal navigation license is sufficient, taking into account the points mentioned above. Specific jet ski licenses can also be obtained, but these must meet the same requirements as above. An exception applies to the temporary rental of jet skis, which may only be operated in designated, restricted areas.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR SPANISH BOAT LICENSES:

According to the new reform (as of October 2014), the following driving licence categories are distinguished in Spain:

CAPITÁN DE YATE

Valid for sports boats up to 24m in length.
Megayachts must be operated with a professional certificate of competence specifically for megayachts.
Valid for sport boats with a length of up to 24 ms (80 ft).

PATRÓN DE YATE

Its length has been increased to 24m and it is valid up to 150 miles off the coast, meaning it can now sail without restrictions in the Mediterranean.

TO START WITH...

It now allows the operation of boats up to 15 meters in length (previously 12 meters), which can travel up to twelve miles off the coast and in particular within the Balearic Islands archipelago as far as the Iberian Peninsula.

With additional practical experience/examination, the license can be extended, allowing boats up to 24 m in length to be operated within the Balearic Islands and as far as the Iberian Peninsula.

GNP

Valid for recreational boats up to 8m in length; this applies to both sailing and motor yachts operating up to 5 miles offshore.

NAVIGATION LICENSE

It replaces the previous "Titulín" (which is completely abolished), thus eliminating the speed limit and allowing the boat to be equipped with the maximum speed permitted for the boat.
Valid for boats up to 6m in length, moving 2 nautical miles off the coast.
Only day trips are permitted.

LICENSE FREE

Boats up to 5 meters in length with a maximum engine power of 15 hp can be operated without a boating license. They must not exceed a distance of 2 miles from their home port or the coast.
Only day trips are permitted.

No license is required for sailboats up to 6 m in length that travel up to 2 nautical miles from their home port or off the coast.
Only day trips are permitted.

PREVIOUS SPANISH QUALIFICATION

Previously purchased titles will be replaced as follows:

• Capitán de Yate = Captain de Yate with basic qualifications
• Patrón de yate = Patrón deYate with basic qualifications
• PER = PER with basic qualification
• PNB = PNB with basic capability

In addition, optional supplementary courses are offered separately to expand his certificates of competence.

LEGAL PROVISIONS and NEW REGULATIONS:

Here you will find an overview of the driving licence regulations and the foreign driving licences accepted in Spain: 

BOE-A-2014-10344: https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2014/10/11/pdfs/BOE-A-2014-10344.pdf
BOE-A-2019-6481: https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2019/05/01/pdfs/BOE-A-2019-6481.pdf
BOE-A-2024-1278: https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2024/01/23/pdfs/BOE-A-2024-1278.pdf

All information is provided explicitly without guarantee of completeness and accuracy.