Charter: what licence is needed to hire out a boat
Operating a boat for hire requires it to be registered in the appropriate commercial list, cleared for commercial activity, insured for that use, and compliant with the technical and tax requirements of the business.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- Commercial hire requires registration in the sixth list of the register.
- Bareboat hire requires the client to hold a sufficient qualification.
- The insurance must expressly cover the hire activity.
- An irregular charter exposes the client to the boat being detained.
The attractive boat in the listing may be entirely lawful or may not be cleared for what is being advertised. Two documents settle it before the deposit is paid.
The two scenarios
Hire with skipper, where the company supplies the crew and the client needs no qualification. And bareboat hire, where the client takes command and must hold a certificate sufficient for the length and the distance intended. In both cases the vessel must be cleared for commercial activity, which is not the case for a privately used boat rented out by its owner.
| Requirement | With skipper | Bareboat |
|---|---|---|
| Client qualification | not required | required and sufficient |
| Registration in the commercial list | required | required |
| Insurance covering hire | required | required |
| Valid seaworthiness certificate | required | required |
| Written contract | advisable | advisable |
| Usual deposit | by length | 1,000 to 5,000 € |
| Signed inventory at handover | advisable | essential |
What to check before booking
That the company provides the boat's details, including its registration and its clearance for hire. That the insurance expressly includes the activity, because a private use policy does not cover an incident during a charter. That the seaworthiness certificate is in date. And that there is a written contract with dates, price, deposit, fuel and cancellation terms.
Why it matters to the client
An irregular charter is not only the owner's problem. If the activity is detected during an inspection the boat can be detained with the clients aboard, and the holiday ends that day. And in the event of an incident, a policy that does not cover commercial use leaves the client exposed to claims for damage they believed were insured, with figures in a collision that can be very high.
A price 30 or 40 per cent below the market is usually the first sign that something is not in order.
Handover and return
A signed inventory covering the condition of equipment, electronics, sails and safety gear. Photographs of the hull and the interior before leaving. Checks on fuel and water levels. And the same sequence on return. The deposit, usually 1,000 € to 5,000 €, is released against that agreed inventory, and without it any later dispute is settled in favour of whoever holds the paperwork.
Market prices give a reference: a day of bareboat hire on an 8 metre boat runs 350 € to 700 € in high season, and 600 € to 1,400 € on a 10 metre. With a skipper, add 200 € to 350 € a day. Fuel is extra and on a 6 hour day under power can reach 150 € to 400 €.
Frequently asked
+Do I need a qualification to hire a boat?
Only for bareboat hire, and it must be sufficient for the length and the distance intended.
+Can a private owner hire me their boat?
Not for commercial activity. The vessel must be registered and cleared for hire.
+What should I check before paying?
Commercial clearance, insurance covering hire, a valid seaworthiness certificate and a written contract.
+What is the risk with an irregular charter?
The boat can be detained during the hire and cover may not apply in the event of an incident.
+How much deposit is usual?
Between 1,000 € and 5,000 € by length, released against an agreed return inventory.
Sources
- 1Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE (August 2026)
- 2Govern de les Illes Balears, Govern de les Illes Balears (August 2026)