Do you need a boat licence in Greece? What is official and what to check

Greece and its islands are a dream region. On the licence question many websites quote figures without an official source. This guide sticks to what the Greek authorities publish and says clearly where to ask. Rules change: check before you travel.

• Greece has its own licence for high-speed craft (άδεια χειριστή ταχυπλόου σκάφους), issued by the Port Authorities; the Hellenic Coast Guard is responsible.
• From which engine power a boat counts as high-speed craft, and whether your foreign licence is recognised, is not stated on this official page: check the current rules with the Coast Guard or the provider.
• With a skipper, nobody in your group needs a licence.

The state portal Mitos (mitos.gov.gr) describes the procedure: the licence is issued by the Port Authorities, with the Hellenic Coast Guard responsible and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy competent. To obtain it in Greece you need, among other things, to be at least 18, healthy and able to swim, to have completed at least twelve hours of approved training and to hold a Greek tax number; the exam is written or oral and practical. The portal names the General Port Regulation No. 50 and its amendments as the legal basis. We therefore state no power limit.

Every boat shows how the provider handles the skipper. The filter "With skipper – no licence" shows only boats with a skipper on board or bookable, or that need no licence. If you steer yourself, what the provider asks for applies: ask beforehand which licences they accept. In summer the meltemi, a strong northerly wind, often blows in the Aegean – in some areas another reason for a skipper who knows the sheltered bays.

• The page on mitos.gov.gr (link in the sources) and, if in doubt, the Hellenic Coast Guard.
• Which licences the provider accepts for boats without a skipper.

Boats with a skipper are waiting in Greece.

On Go2Boat you only see free dates from the providers' calendars, and every price is the final price including mandatory extras – no surprise at payment. Questions about the boat, the skipper or your wishes we settle with the provider for you: Go2Boat is on your side, from the first question to on board. Search free boats