Short answer: yes. Croatian law requires at least one person on board to hold a valid boat operator’s license. If you’re renting from us at ACI Marina Šimuni, we’ll need to see your original license before handing over the keys.
The good news is that Croatia recognizes a wide range of international certificates. If you hold a boating license from most European countries, the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, chances are it’s already accepted — no extra paperwork, no exam, no Croatian license needed.
Below is a summary for the countries our guests most commonly come from. If your country isn’t listed, check the
full official list from the Croatian Ministry of the Sea (PDF).
What license category do you need for our boats?
Croatian boat licenses are issued in several categories. Our boats — Galia 630 Sundeck and Galia 220 Sundeck — require a Category B license or equivalent. Category B covers boats used for private or charter purposes up to 30 GT, in Croatian territorial waters and waters accessible from the sea. This is the most common license category for recreational boat rental in Croatia.
If you hold a foreign license, it needs to be recognized as equivalent to at least Category B. The tables below show which certificates from each country meet this requirement.
Germany
The Sportbootführerschein See (SBF See) is accepted and allows you to operate boats and yachts up to 30 GT in Croatian territorial waters. If you hold a Sportseeschifferschein (SSS), you’re covered for international navigation in the Adriatic up to 500 GT. The Sporthochseeschifferschein (SHS) has no restrictions at all.
Austria
The International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (IC) issued by via donau is recognized. The C–20nm version covers boats and yachts up to 30 GT in Croatian territorial waters. The C–200nm version extends to international Adriatic navigation up to 500 GT, and the C–Worldwide has no restrictions.
Older certificates issued by ÖSV or MSVÖ before 2012 remain valid until their expiration date.
United Kingdom
Croatia recognizes a wide range of RYA certificates. The most common ones our guests carry:
RYA Day Skipper (Shorebased Certificate) — boats and yachts up to 30 GT in territorial waters.
RYA Day Skipper (Certificate of Competence) — boats and yachts up to 100 GT, international Adriatic.
RYA Coastal Skipper (Certificate of Competence) — yachts up to 500 GT, international Adriatic.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore / Ocean — up to 500 GT, no restrictions.
RYA Powerboat Level 2 — boats and yachts up to 30 GT in territorial waters.
ICC (Coastal Waters, Power up to 10m) — boats and yachts up to 30 GT in territorial waters.
ICC (Coastal Waters, Power up to 24m / Sail up to 24m) — up to 100 GT, international Adriatic.
MCA Master, Chief Mate and Officer of the Watch certificates for yachts under 3000 GT are also accepted with no restrictions.
Italy
The Patente Nautica up to 12nm covers boats and yachts up to 24m in length and 30 GT in Croatian territorial waters. The Patente Nautica without distance limitation extends to international Adriatic up to 100 GT. The Patente for vessels over 24m covers up to 500 GT with no restrictions.
Czech Republic
The International Certificate (ICC) issued by Státní plavební správa under UN/ECE Resolution 40 is accepted — but only for boats within 1nm of the coast. For full territorial waters access, you need the Průkaz způsobilosti k vedení rekreační jachty or the Category C (coastal) certificate from the Ministry of Transport, which covers boats and yachts up to 30 GT. Category B (sea navigation) extends to 500 GT in the Adriatic, and Category A (ocean) has no restrictions.
Poland
The Żeglarz Jachtowy covers boats within 1nm of the coast. The Sternik Jachtowy is the most common certificate our Polish guests carry — it covers boats and yachts up to 30 GT in Croatian territorial waters. The Jachtowy Sternik Morski extends to international Adriatic up to 500 GT, and the Kapitan Jachtowy has no restrictions.
For motorboat licenses: the Sternik Motorowodny covers boats within 1nm, the Starszy Sternik Motorowodny covers up to 30 GT in territorial waters, and the Morski Sternik Motorowodny extends to international Adriatic up to 100 GT.
What about a VHF radio license?
Croatian law requires a VHF radio operator’s certificate only if the boat is equipped with a fixed VHF radio station. Our boats don’t have one installed — so a VHF license is not mandatory for renting from us.
We do carry a portable VHF radio on board for safety. If you’d like to use it and you hold a valid VHF certificate (SRC, LRC or equivalent), we’ll happily hand it over. If not, we’ll cover the basics of emergency communication during your safety briefing.
What if my license isn’t on the list?
The full official list of recognized certificates is published by the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure. You can
download the complete PDF here — it covers 30 countries and over 150 individual certificates.
If your country or certificate isn’t listed, it means Croatia has not signed a bilateral agreement recognizing it. In that case, you have two options: obtain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) through your national sailing authority before your trip, or take the Croatian Category B exam at a local Harbourmaster’s office — it’s a theoretical exam only, costs around €150, and is usually available once a week during the season.
If you’re unsure whether your license is valid, send us a photo of it before your trip and we’ll check for you.
Important
The person who rents the boat must hold a valid and recognized boat operator’s license. They are legally responsible for the vessel, the crew and all passengers on board for the entire duration of the rental. We verify the original document at check-in — no exceptions.
Ready to book? Check out our
day trip guide to see where you can go, or
get in touch to reserve your boat.