Driving licence regulation Sport boat licence on the balearic islands

WHICH BOATING LICENCE IS REQUIRED FOR MALLORCA AND THE BALEARIC ISLANDS?

For the new regulation (according to the BOE regulation of 11 October 2014) on the navigation of recreational and water sports boats in Spain, which takes effect from 11 January 2015, the following should be noted:

DEFINITIONS & GENERALITIES:

Recreational and water sports boats are limited to 24 metres, 300 tonnes GT and 12 passengers (without crew). A boat licence is required in Spain for boats longer than 5 metres and for sailing boats longer than 6 metres and with a power output of more than 15 hp.

Boats below these criteria may be driven without a licence, but only if prescribed distances from the coast are taken into account (see details below).

driving licence regulations balearic islands

REGULATION FOR CHARTER GUESTS FROM THE EU (OR A COUNTRY LISTED IN THE BOE TABLE BELOW) WHO ARE NOT RESIDENT IN SPAIN:

In order to operate a boat under Spanish flag, a licence issued in the charterer’s country of origin is required – taking into account the restrictions listed in the table. Otherwise, the regulations of the country of origin applicable to the driving licence shall apply. Example: A German charter guest who has acquired his German driving licence in Germany is qualified to drive Spanish-flagged boats in Spanish waters, as in this case the country of issue of the driving licence and the home country of the licence holder coincide.
Charter guests with a driving licence from a country other than their country of origin must prove that they are either resident in that country – or that the driving licence was acquired during a stay (e.g. study or similar). Example: If a German charter guest has acquired an English driving licence, the charter guest must be able to prove that they are either resident in England or that they resided in England at the time of acquiring the licence (e.g. while studying).
If the boat is operated in Spanish waters, under the flag of an EU country (not Spain), the official (compulsory) boat licence issued in the respective country of origin (taking into account the corresponding restrictions) is sufficient. If the nationality and driving licence do NOT match the flag of the boat, the regulations of the guest’s country of origin or driving licence apply.

REGULATIONS FOR CHARTER GUESTS FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES RESIDING IN SPAIN:

Non-Spaniards living in Spain (of foreign origin from a country within the EU) who are resident in Spain and wish to operate a boat under Spanish flag require a domestic (Spanish) boat licence (see below: new regulations for Spanish boat licences).

Alternatively, it is possible to have a licence/capability issued/recognised by the shipping office of the country of origin. The certificates listed in the BOE table below are recognised.

REGULATION FOR SPANISH CHARTER GUESTS WITH A DRIVING LICENCE ISSUED IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY (NOT SPAIN):

Spanish charter guests must have a Spanish driving licence if they are resident in Spain, unless they are resident in another country (again, the country must be part of the EU or listed in the BOE table). Furthermore, Spanish charter guests must have a valid document. Furthermore, Spanish charter guests must have a valid document showing this residency information (ID/driving licence/passport or similar).

REGULATION FOR NON-EU CHARTER GUESTS:

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

LONG RANGE CERTIFICATE:

Should the vessel also be equipped with a radio/radiotelephone system, the charter agency may require a long range certificate (LRC) on an individual basis. However, the radio certificate is not compulsory.

JET SKI:

Jet ski drivers must also be in possession of an appropriate driving licence. The coastal driving licences are sufficient, taking into account the points listed above. Explicit jet ski driving licences can also be obtained, but they must meet the same conditions as above. An exception is made for the time-limited rental of jet ski equipment, which may only be moved in designated, fixed zones.

Here you will find the overview of foreign driving licences accepted in Spain: BOE TABLE (pages 83094 till 83097)

All information without guarantee for completeness and correctness. For further information and the complete document on the new regulation on the driving of recreational craft for leisure and water sports, click here (page 82997).

NEW REGULATION FOR SPANISH BOATING LICENCES:

In Spain, according to the new reform (as of October 2014), the following driving licence classes are distinguished:

CAPITÁN DE YATE

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

CAPITÁN DE YATE	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	unlimited	24 m (80 ft)
Sailing yacht	unlimited	24 m (80ft)
Distance from the coast	unlimited	unlimited

PATRÓN DE YATE

Has been increased to 24m in length and is valid up to 150 miles offshore and therefore may now sail limitlessly in the Mediterranean.

PATRÓN DE YATE	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	20 m (66ft)	24 m (80ft)
Sailing yacht	20 m (66 ft)	24m (80 ft)
Distance from the coast	max. 60 NM	max. 150 NM

PER

Now allows the navigation of boats up to 15 metres in length (previously 12 metres), moving up to twelve miles off the coast and in particular within the Balearic archipelagos up to the Iberian Peninsula.

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

PER	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	12 m (40ft)	15 m (50ft)
Sailing yacht	12 m (40 ft)	15 m (50 ft)
Distance from the coast	max. 12 NM within the islands & Balearic Islands	max. 12 NM within the islands & Balearic Islands

PNB

Valid for pleasure craft up to 8 m in length, this applies to both sailing and motor yachts up to 5 miles offshore.

PNB	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	7,5 m (24 ft)	8 m (26 ft)
Sailing yacht	8 m (26 ft)	8 m (26 ft)
Distance from the coast	max. 5 NM	max. 5 NM

LICENCIA DE NAVEGACIÓN

Replaces the previous “Titulín” (this will be completely abolished), eliminating the speed limit and allowing the boat to be equipped with the maximum speed allowed for the boat.
Valid for boats up to 6 m in length moving 2 nautical miles offshore. Only day trips allowed.

LICENCIA DE NAVEGACIÓN	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	6 m (20 ft)	6 m (20 ft)
Sailing yacht	6 m (20 ft)	6 m (20 ft)
Distance from the coast	limited areas	2 NM

LICENSE FREE

Boats up to 5 m in length with a maximum power of 15 hp can be operated without a boat licence. These must not exceed the distance to the home port or the coast (max. 2 miles). Only day trips allowed.

A licence is also not required for sailboats up to 6 m in length that travel up to 2 miles from the home port or off the coast. Only day trips allowed.

LICENSE FREE	FORMER REGULATION	NEW REGULATION
Motor yacht	4 m (13 ft)	5 m (16 ft)
Sailing yacht	5 m (16 ft)	6 m (20 ft)
Distance from the coast	limited areas	2 NM

PREVIOUS SPANISH LICENCE OF COMPETENCE

Titles previously obtained will be replaced as follows:

Capitán de Yate = Capitán de Yate with basic qualification
Patrón de yate = Patrón deYate with basic qualification
PER = PER with basic qualification
PNB = PNB with basic qualification

In addition, optional supplementary courses are offered to expand certificates of competency.