The new regulation applies not only to the Balearic Islands, but throughout Spain. However, its impact is particularly noticeable on the islands, as many operators there rent out small open motorboats for trips around the bays even to people who do not hold a boat licence. The Royal Decree 1188/2025 thus making it the 1 October 2026 That’s it then.
Up to and including 30 September 2026, an adult in Spain may hire and operate a motorboat up to five metres in length and with a maximum of 15 PS without a boat licence. However, this exemption only applies during daylight hours and within a maximum of two nautical miles from the point of departure. It is precisely this rule that underpins the lucrative business of licence-free boat hire.
A licence has long been compulsory for larger and more powerful motorboats. Even for a traditional bareboat charter – such as a larger motor yacht – charter companies have always required proof of a licence appropriate to the boat and the waters in which it is to be used. However, the Spanish regulations still provide for one exception: a private boat up to five metres in length and with an engine power of up to 15 PS may still be operated without a licence.
The government cites the high number of incidents and accidents that have occurred in the past in connection with car hire schemes that do not require a driving licence as the reason for the change.
Overview of old and new rules:
| Case | Until 30 September 2026 | From 1 October 2026 |
| Motorboat hire: up to 5 metres and 15 PS | No receipt required | Appropriate certificate of competence required |
| Your own motorboat up to 5 metres and 15 PS | No receipt required | It is possible to continue without a licence |
| Motorboat hire: over 5 metres or over 15 PS | A valid note is required | A certificate is still required |
| Charter with a skipper | Guests do not need a ticket | Still no receipt for the guest |
| Jet ski | Proof required | A certificate is still required |
Does it have to be the Spanish basic certificate?
No. The new rule does not generally require German holidaymakers to hold the Spanish ‘Licencia de Navegación’. It requires a valid recreational boat licence or certificate of competence that is sufficient for the hired boat and the planned cruising area. In principle, the Spanish regulations also recognise licences issued in the country of nationality or residence for the purposes of boat hire, provided that the requirements of the regulation are met. For German water sports enthusiasts, the ‘Sportbootführerschein See’ (recreational boat licence for coastal waters) is the standard qualification for coastal trips.
Anyone who does not have the appropriate certification can, as an alternative, book a boat with a skipper. In that case, the skipper is the person in charge of the vessel.
What can still be done without a driving licence?
The regulation does not apply to everything that is on the water. Kayaks, SUPs and other beach or water sports equipment are still exempt from the licence requirement. Small sailing boats up to six metres in length are also exempt from the Spanish licensing requirement when used for recreational purposes. However, the two-nautical-mile limit and the ban on use at night also apply.
There is, however, no exception for jet skis. They are explicitly excluded under the new regulations and the required qualification is still necessary. Anyone taking part in a guided tour, on the other hand, does not need their own licence.
Balearic Islands: Small boats, big impact
The new rule comes at a time when the charter market is already heavily regulated. From 2025, stricter requirements regarding registration, proof of insurance and documentation will apply to operators in Spain. These charter regulations are aimed at operators. The requirement to hold a driving licence, which comes into force in October, is aimed, by contrast, at the person behind the wheel.
A fatal accident off the coast of Mallorca in August shows just how topical this issue is. The cause has not yet been definitively established. The Reports on the accident at s’Estanyol However, they demonstrate why the discussion regarding induction, weather assessment, rescue equipment and local knowledge goes beyond mere appearances.
For holidaymakers, the implication is clear: anyone wishing to steer a small hire motorboat themselves in the Balearic Islands in 2027 should ensure they have the necessary certification in good time or specifically choose a package that includes a skipper. When booking, it is worth checking the terms of the contract and the boundaries of the sailing area, because the rules governing private boat hire in the Balearic Islands are a separate issue and do not affect the skipper’s personal qualifications.
Book recommendation
The Boats - Logbook summarises the topics that need to be quickly refreshed when taking the helm of a motorboat: rules of the road, navigation marks, lighting regulations, weather, marine radio, chartering and what to do in an emergency. This compact reference guide helps motorboat skippers prepare for a trip and systematically check procedures from casting off to entering port.
What do you think – is the new rule excessive or sensible? Let us know in the comments.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT