náutica How to get the Spanish boat licence (PER)
The PER is the Spanish recreational skipper licence. You can take it directly, without holding the PNB first: pass the theory exam, do the practical training and the radio course, and pass a medical check.
What the PER allows
- Motor boats up to 15 m, up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, and sailing between the Balearic and between the Canary Islands.
- Jet skis.
- With the sailing practice (16 h): sailing boats up to 15 m.
- With the navigation practice (24 h, 4 at night): boats up to 24 m and the crossing between the mainland and the Balearic Islands.
Steps
- Age. Be 18 on the day of the exam.
- Medical check. At a driver medical centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores, CRC). The report is valid for 2 years.
- Theory exam. 45 multiple-choice questions in Spanish in 90 minutes. You pass with 32 correct answers and without exceeding the maximum mistakes in Balizamiento (2), Reglamento RIPA (5), and Carta de Navegación (2).
- Basic practice. 16 hours of safety and navigation with a nautical school.
- Radio course. Short Range Certificate, 12 hours. You do it once for all licences.
- Licence. Apply to the administration that examined you within 24 months. The card is valid for 10 years (5 from age 70); the licence itself does not expire.
How much it costs
Official fees for the exam and for issuing the licence:
| Region | Exam | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Murcia | €52.06 | €46.50 |
| Valencia | €62.97 | €36.68 |
The medical check, the practical training and the radio course are charged by each centre or school.
Prepare the theory with this course, explained in English: topic 1 is free and the full course costs 49 €, one-off payment.
Start free · Topic 1Exam dates in your region
- PER exam in Murcia 2026: dates and fees — Sessions, registration, fees and what to bring.
- PER exam in Valencia 2026: dates and fees — Sessions, registration, fees and what to bring.
And 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
Do I need the PNB before the PER?
No. You can take the PER directly. With the PNB you only sit the specific part of the PER: units 7 to 11.
How much does the PER cost?
Official fees are €52.06 for the exam and €46.50 for the licence in Murcia and €62.97 for the exam and €36.68 for the licence in Valencia. On top of that come the medical check, the practical training and the radio course, charged by each centre.
Does the PER expire?
No. The card does: it is renewed every 10 years (every 5 from age 70) with a new medical check.
Can I skipper a rental boat without a licence?
No. From 1 October 2026 you need a licencia de navegación or an appropriate licence to skipper a rental boat.
Official sources (in Spanish)
- BOE: Real Decreto 875/2014, titulaciones náuticas de recreo (texto consolidado)
- BOE: Real Decreto 1188/2025 (navegación sin título)
- Ministerio de Transportes: Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo
- Ministerio de Transportes: titulación para el alquiler desde el 1 de octubre de 2026
Data checked against the official sources in October 2026.