Do you need a boat licence in Italy? The rules for motorboats and sailing boats

"Can I drive a boat in Italy without a licence?" The answer is in Italy's pleasure boating code, the Codice della nautica da diporto. This guide sums up what it says and links the official text. Rules change: check the version in force before you travel.

• Beyond six nautical miles from the coast a boat licence (patente nautica) is always required.
• Within six miles it is required as soon as the engine exceeds certain limits on cylinder capacity or power (more than 30 kW, i.e. 40.8 hp).
• Personal watercraft (jet skis) always require it.
• With a skipper, nobody in your group needs a licence.

Article 39 of the Codice della nautica da diporto (Legislative Decree No. 171 of 18 July 2005) requires the licence

• for navigation more than six miles from the coast and for personal watercraft,
• on inland waters and at sea within six miles when the engine on board exceeds one of the law's cylinder limits – for example 750 cc for a two-stroke carburettor engine or 1000 cc for a four-stroke outboard – or has more than 30 kW (40.8 hp).

Small boats with a weak engine may therefore be driven near the coast without a licence. The exact limit depends on the engine fitted. The official text with all limits and later amendments is on Normattiva (link in the sources).

For most boats on Go2Boat the licence only matters if you want to steer yourself. Every boat shows how the provider handles the skipper: optional, included or mandatory. Choose "With skipper – no licence" in the search to see only boats with a skipper on board or bookable, or that need no licence.

If you steer yourself, what the provider asks for applies as well: many ask for a licence or proof of experience even for sailing boats. Without the documents at handover the provider may refuse to hand the boat over without a skipper.

Whether a Swiss, German, British or other licence is recognised in Italy depends on the licence and the boat. Check before booking with the provider and, if in doubt, with the Italian authorities.

• The current legal text on Normattiva.
• Engine power and cylinder capacity of the boat.
• What the provider asks for boats without a skipper.
• Protected areas such as La Maddalena national park have their own rules.

Boats with a skipper are waiting for example in Sardinia and on the Amalfi Coast.

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