It is the first question almost everyone asks before booking a charter in Greece. And the answer comes down to one thing: are you the person at the helm, the boat's responsible skipper, or a passenger?
The basic rule
To charter a yacht bareboat in Greece (without a skipper provided by the base) and be its responsible skipper, you must show demonstrated competence. That level is not set by a single law, it is judged by each charter operator, based on the sailing CV you present at handover. Contrary to a common belief, Greece does not require a specific, state-issued licence for pleasure charter. What matters is your sailing CV and the operator's decision to hand you the boat.
What operators ask for in practice
Greek charter bases (GlobeSailor, SamBoat, Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail) set their own criteria. Most require:
For a monohull up to 12 m:
- A recognised sailing licence: an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), or, for UK sailors, an RYA Day Skipper certificate, which establishes your baseline credibility.
- A sailing CV showing at least 500 to 1,000 logged miles, including coastal and charter experience.
- Some evidence of harbour handling in your CV.
For a catamaran or a yacht over 12 m: higher mileage and experience requirements; some operators ask for a VHF certificate.
For all boats: a VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) is strongly recommended and required by most bases to use the marine VHF radio.
Which certificate is accepted
| Certificate | Valid in Greece | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| ICC (International Certificate of Competence) | Yes | The most recognised document for foreign sailors |
| RYA Day Skipper (+ ICC) | Yes | The UK reference; pair it with an ICC |
| National coastal licence | Yes | Accepted, recognised internationally via the ICC |
| No licence but a sailing CV | Sometimes | Depends on the operator and boat size |
The ICC is the most widely recognised document for sailing in Greek waters as a foreigner. It is not compulsory, but it saves discussion with charter bases and port authorities.
What if you have no licence?
A skippered charter is the standard solution: a professional skipper is responsible for the boat and you sail as crew. Demand for this option is rising fast. A professional skipper costs on average 150 to 250 euros a day, roughly 1,050 to 1,750 euros for a week for six, or 175 to 290 euros per person. The extra cost is often offset by peace of mind and by the local knowledge a skipper brings: anchorages, local weather, tricky passages.
The boat's technical rules
Whatever the skipper's licence, the Greek coastguard (Limeniko Soma) runs routine checks in harbours. The mandatory safety kit must be aboard and serviceable: lifejackets for all, an approved liferaft, distress flares, extinguishers, an EPIRB, a first-aid kit. The base provides it and covers it in the departure briefing; check it all at handover.
Papers to keep on board
| Document | Required | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Ship's registration | Yes | Charter base |
| Third-party insurance | Yes | Included in the charter |
| Crew list | Yes | Filled in with the base |
| Your licences (ICC or equivalent) | Per operator | You |
| Passports or ID cards | Yes | You and your crew |
In summary
Greece imposes no specific licence for pleasure charter, but operators almost always ask for proof of competence. A national coastal licence plus an ICC (or an RYA Day Skipper plus ICC) plus a sailing CV cover the vast majority of available charters. Without a licence, a skippered charter is the standard, and often the recommended, solution for a first Greek sailing trip. To plan the rest of your cruise, see our complete guide to sailing in Greece and the 2025 budget breakdown.
Sources: Hellenic coastguard pleasure-craft rules, the ICC framework, and 2025 operator notes.