Which Boats Can You Rent Without a Boating Licence?

Don't have a boating licence yet, or are you still working on one?

Then you might be wondering which boats you are allowed to sail without a boating licence. In most cases, you do not need a boating licence to hire a boat.

In this article, we tell you all about the possibilities you have for a boat hire.

The Main Rules

For anything you can rent that can travel on water (including canoes, SUPs, jet skis, motorboats and sailing boats) that cannot go faster than 20km per hour and is less than 15 metres long, you do not need a boating licence in the Netherlands according to the CBR.

If you want to rent a larger boat, please contact the rental company or your Tubber advisor to discuss this.

Below, we describe in more detail the different boats you can hire without a boating licence. These boats also need to meet the dimensions and maximum speed mentioned earlier.

Types Of Boats You Can Hire Without A License

Sloop or whisper boat

Who doesn't know them? A very popular open motor boat.

These types of boats fall under the smaller motorboats and are therefore mainly used for recreation on smaller waters or canals. In the past, these boats were mainly used as an extra boat with a larger ship.

No wonder these boats are so popular nowadays, because in most cases you do not need a boat licence. Just check with the rental company. Many places now also offer electric whisper boats for hire.

Ideal for sailing quietly through a nature reserve without disturbing the surroundings. So you can still enjoy a nice sail in the sun with your friends or family.

Open motorboat

Besides the sloop, you can also sail on other open motor boats, such as a RIB or an inflatable lifeboat.

Because these boats are so light, you can easily go faster than 20 km per hour with a 5hp engine.

If your own boat is going too fast, you can have the engine limited by a specialist or fit a lighter outboard motor.

Open sailboat

Open sailboats are ideally suited to sailing without a licence, as long as you can sail, of course.

Mainly, there are two types:

 

• Keel boats
• Sword boats

 

Sword boats have a keel under the boat that can be lifted.

Cabin boat

The cabin boat comes in two different types:

 

• Motor yacht: The first type is the cabin motor yacht. It is distinguished from an ordinary motorboat by its luxurious accommodation where you can also sleep, cook and shower. These boats are fully powered by an engine and come in many different shapes and sizes. Note that the boat cannot go faster than 20 km per hour if you do not have a boating licence. This does not depend on the number of horsepower — so in principle, you can sail a large 20-ton motor cruiser that tops out at 19 km/h in the Netherlands.

 

• Sailing yacht: The second kind — a cabin sailing yacht — also has everything you need, like a berth and a seating area where you can sit nice and dry and warm at night. Sailing yachts feature a triangular sail varying in size, shape and number. The main difference lies in the propulsion. These boats are amazing to sail, though this requires a bit more effort and skill than its other relatives, and is therefore really for enthusiasts. If there is no wind for a while, you can also use the motor. This category includes cruising yachts, racing yachts, daysailers, motorsailers and other beautiful classics.

 

Flat-bottomed ship

These are traditional sailing ships with, as the name suggests, a flat bottom so you can run aground without any problems.

These characteristic sailing ships are distinguished by their sideboards instead of a keel. You will not easily forget a week's holiday on one of these boats.

Multihulls or Catamaran

A multihull is a boat with several hulls and is often much lighter than a monohull (a boat with 1 hull).

A catamaran is rightly one of the best-known multihulls; these boats have two hulls, which means they have less drag and are faster and more stable to sail. Most people will know the catamaran as a sailboat, but there are also boats powered by an engine. The advantage of these modern boats is that they have enormous space with all the trimmings — perfect for friends or family to spend a holiday on.

Due to their size and often higher top speed, we do not recommend sailing these boats without a boating licence and/or some experience.

Holiday Boat Hire Without A Boating Licence

Would you like to hire a boat abroad without a boating licence?

Different rules apply in every region. In Europe, the rules may differ per country. This has to do with the fact that in countries like Croatia , for example, you are more likely to be at sea. To sail at sea, you will usually need an ICC. An International Certificate of Competence is a certificate that can be compared to the Dutch Klein Vaarbewijs II.

France and Italy also make a distinction between sailing your own boat and renting one.

Where You Can Rent Boats Without A Boating Licence

Below is an up-to-date overview of the rules in some of the most visited countries. (Please note: rules are subject to change, so always check locally before booking.)

Keep in mind that even if the legal limits above suggest you don't need a licence, the rental company or their insurer may still ask for a full boating licence before handing over the keys. If that's the case, hiring a skipper is usually the easiest solution. If you're not sure whether your paperwork is sufficient, it's best to email your documents to the rental company in advance of your reservation, so there are no surprises when you arrive.

France

• Allowed: Yes — electric boats and small motorboats under 6 hp (4.5 kW) typically do not require a licence. This is the strictest threshold in Europe.
• Special case: Canal and river boats (like on the Canal du Midi) can be rented without a licence, usually after a brief briefing from the rental company.

Italy

• Allowed: Yes — motorboats with an engine up to roughly 40 hp (30 kW), and under 24 metres, can still be operated without a licence, provided you stay within 6 nautical miles of the coast.
• Note: Restrictions may vary near marine protected areas, and rules can be stricter at night or further offshore. Always confirm the specific limits with the rental company before booking.

Spain

• Allowed: Yes — boats up to 5 metres long (sailboats) or 4 metres (motorboats) with engines up to 15 hp can be driven without a licence.
• Tip: Great for short coastal trips or island hopping near Ibiza and Mallorca.

Greece

• Allowed: Yes — motorboats up to 30 hp can be rented without a licence.
• Ideal for: Exploring smaller islands and bays around the coast.

Croatia

• Allowed: No — a boating licence is usually required for any type of motorboat.
• Workaround: You can rent with a licensed skipper.

Portugal

• Allowed: Yes — in some regions, small boats under 15 hp may not require a licence.
• Check: Rules can vary by region (e.g., Algarve vs. Lisbon).

Netherlands

• Allowed: Yes — boats under 15 metres and not capable of speeds over 20 km/h do not require a licence.
• Popular option: Electric sloops in Amsterdam's canals.

Germany

• Allowed: Yes — on some lakes and rivers, boats under 15 hp do not require a licence.
• Berlin & Brandenburg: Particularly boat-friendly regions.

Thailand

• Allowed: Yes — you can often rent longtail boats or small speedboats without a licence.
• Best with guide: Some rentals include a local driver by default.

Australia

• Allowed: Yes — in certain states (like Queensland), boats under a specific power limit can be rented licence-free.
• Tip: Always check state-specific regulations.

Exceptions

In some cases, the lessor may make an exception for Dutch or Belgian sailors, since a sailing licence for boats under 15 m is not obligatory in the Netherlands. It is important to discuss this in advance with the lessor or the local harbour master. You can always ask us for advice here or call us on +31 (0) 50 8200 200.

Safely Hire A Boat With Skipper

Do you still have doubts about your own sailing skills?

Then hire an experienced skipper with the boat for a worry-free holiday. The skipper can often tell you everything you need to know about the beautiful surroundings you pass.

He or she knows the hidden gems and nicest beaches, so you can enjoy your drink while reading a good book, for example.

Conclusion

So there are plenty of options and types of boats you can hire.

Abroad, rules often differ, so check before you go whether you can actually rent that boat without a licence.

Still, even without a boating licence, you can choose from Tubber's versatile range that suits your needs.