Boating licences in Spain
Spain has 5 licences for recreational boats: Licencia de navegación, Patrón para Navegación Básica (PNB), Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER), Patrón de Yate and Capitán de Yate. The first three can be taken directly; Patrón de Yate requires the PER and Capitán de Yate requires Patrón de Yate.
| Licence | Motor boats | Theory exam | Practical training | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licencia de navegación | Up to 6 m, up to 2 nautical miles from a port, marina or shelter, in daylight | No official exam: issued by a school or federation | 4 hours | — |
| Patrón para Navegación Básica (PNB) | Up to 8 m, up to 5 nautical miles from a port, marina or shelter | 27 questions, 45 min, at least 17 correct and mistake limits per topic | 8 hours | 4 hours |
| Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER) | Up to 15 m, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast and between the Balearic Islands and between the Canary Islands | 45 questions, 90 min, at least 32 correct and mistake limits per topic | 16 hours | 12 hours |
| Patrón de Yate | Up to 24 m, up to 150 nautical miles from the coast | 40 questions, 120 min, at least 28 correct and mistake limits per topic | 48 hours | 12 hours |
| Capitán de Yate | Up to 24 m, no geographical limit | 40 questions, 150 min, at least 28 correct and mistake limits per topic | 48 hours | 12 hours |
All of them also cover jet skis. Age: 18; the licencia and the PNB from 16 with the consent of parents or guardians. All require a medical check. The 12-hour radio course covers PER, Patrón de Yate and Capitán de Yate; the PNB’s 4-hour course does not replace it.
The PER
It covers motor boats up to 15 m and up to 12 miles offshore. With extra practical training, it also covers sailing boats and boats up to 24 m.
- Spanish boat licence (PER): how to get itHow to get the Spanish boat licence (PER): 45-question exam in Spanish, 16 hours of practical training, a 12-hour radio course and official fees.
- PER syllabus: the 11 exam topicsThe PER syllabus topic by topic: 11 topics, 45 exam questions, the must-pass topics and what each one covers.
- PER exam 2026: dates by region and how it worksThe PER exam in 2026: upcoming sessions by region, how the 45-question test works, the pass mark and links to the official notices.
- PER exam in Murcia 2026: dates and feesPER exam in Murcia 2026: sessions, registration dates, the €52.06 fee, what to bring and how the exam works.
- PER exam in the Valencian Community 2026: dates and feesPER exam in the Valencian Community 2026: sessions, registration dates, the €62.97 fee, what to bring and how the exam works.
Without a licence
From 1 October 2026, without a licence you may skipper motor boats for private use up to 5 m and 15 hp, or sailing boats for sporting use up to 6 m: in daylight, no more than 2 nautical miles from the departure port, marina or beach, from age 18, excluding jet skis. To skipper a rental boat you need a licencia de navegación or an appropriate licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the PNB and the PER?
The PNB covers motor boats up to 8 m within 5 miles of a port; the PER, up to 15 m within 12 miles of the coast and between islands. The PNB exam has 27 questions and the PER exam 45.
Can I get the PER without the PNB?
Yes. The licencia de navegación, the PNB and the PER can be taken directly. Patrón de Yate requires the PER, and Capitán de Yate requires Patrón de Yate.
Does the licencia de navegación have an exam?
No. There is no official exam: boating schools and federations issue it after the theory and practical training.
What can I skipper without a licence?
From 1 October 2026, without a licence you may skipper motor boats for private use up to 5 m and 15 hp, or sailing boats for sporting use up to 6 m: in daylight, no more than 2 nautical miles from the departure port, marina or beach, from age 18, excluding jet skis. To skipper a rental boat you need a licencia de navegación or an appropriate licence.
Official sources (in Spanish)
- BOE: Real Decreto 875/2014 (texto consolidado)
- BOE: Real Decreto 1188/2025 (navegación sin título)
- Ministerio de Transportes: Patrón para Navegación Básica (PNB)
- Ministerio de Transportes: Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER)
- Ministerio de Transportes: Patrón de Yate
- Ministerio de Transportes: Capitán de Yate
Data checked against the official sources in October 2026.