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If you want to sail for leisure, with family or friends, there are different nautical licenses depending on the size of the boat and the distance from the coast you want to travel.
If you have no experience or license, you can directly obtain three titles:
Boating License (LN)
Basic Navigation Skipper (PNB)
Recreational Boat Skipper (PER)
To access higher-level licenses such as Yacht Skipper (PY) or Yacht Captain (CY), you must have obtained previous nautical titles.
You can sail without a license under the following conditions:
Motorboats up to 5 meters (max 15 HP)
Sailboats up to 6 meters (max 15 HP)
Up to 2 nautical miles from a port, marina, or sheltered area
Daytime navigation only
Over 18 years old
The Boating License is the most basic certification, also known as “titulín.” Ideal if you want to use jet skis or small daytime boats up to 2 miles from the departure port.
Requirements and limits:
Motorboats and sailboats up to 6 m in length with approved engine power
Jet skis with no power limit
Up to 2 miles from a port or shelter
Daytime navigation
Over 18 years old (16 with parental permission)
How to obtain it:
Course at a nautical academy, no official exam
If you are in the Tarragona area, you can take the course at the Marina Cambrils nautical center; otherwise, check if your nearest Yacht Club offers this service
2 hours of theory (radio basics) + 4 hours practical on board
Perfect for weekend getaways, this is the licence you need if your plan is to go out on weekends with family or friends, sail close to the coast, hop from cove to cove avoiding crowded beaches, or go night fishing.
Requirements and limits:
Motorboats up to 8 m and sailboats up to 8 m (additional practice required)
Jet skis with no power limit
Up to 5 miles from a port or shelter
Daytime and nighttime navigation
Over 18 years old (16 with parental permission)
How to obtain it:
Training and practice at nautical academies
Radio communications course (2h theory + 2h practice)
8h practical on board
Official exam and medical fitness certificate
Ideal for more extensive coastal navigation, with complete freedom to reach the Balearic Islands. Allows professional privileges.
Requirements and limits:
Motorboats up to 15 m and sailboats up to 15 m (additional practice required)
Jet skis with no power limit
Up to 12 miles from the coast
Daytime and nighttime navigation
Over 18 years old
Navigation between islands in the Balearic and Canary archipelagos
How to obtain it:
Training and practice at nautical academies
Short-range radio operator course (12h: 4h theory + 8h practice)
16h practical on board
Official exam and medical fitness certificate
Note: With 24h of practice (minimum 4 at night), the PER allows navigation between the mainland and the Balearic Islands and increases the boat length up to 24 m.
The following certifications require previous licenses:
Yacht Skipper (PY)
Requires having obtained the PER
Boats up to 24 m and sailboats up to 24 m (additional practice required)
Up to 150 nautical miles from the coast
Daytime and nighttime navigation
Yacht Captain (CY)
Requires having obtained the PY
Unlimited length and distance
Daytime and nighttime navigation
Ideal for long-distance trips and circumnavigation
Both licenses include:
Short-range radio operator course (12h)
48h practical (36h in offshore navigation)
Official exam and medical fitness certificate
Sailing practice is unique and valid for all licenses. If completed for the PNB, it does not need to be repeated. If taken for the first time in any subsequent license, it represents a total of 16 hours of sailing practice.
A medical fitness certificate is required every 10 years; no exam repetition is necessary. If you are over 70, renewal must be done every 5 years.
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