Foreign titles
Governing: RD 875/2014 additional provisions 3ª and 5ª and Anexo IX, as amended by RD 339/2021 and RD 1188/2025. Builds on: L1.1.
The basic rule
Disposición adicional tercera (DA 3ª) of RD 875/2014 lets a Spanish-flag recreational boat be hired to anyone holding a valid recreational title, on three conditions:
- You may use only the attributions your own title gives you: its length, distance and boat-type limits.
- The title must be issued by the country of your nationality or of your residence. If it was issued on residence, you must have proved that residence to the issuing state when it was issued.
- That country must be in the European Economic Area or listed in Anexo IX of the decree.
Who is on the list
| Country | Titles and Spanish equivalence (Anexo IX) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (RYA) | Yachtmaster Ocean: 24 m, no limit. Yachtmaster Offshore: 24 m, 150 nm. Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Coastal: 24 m, 20 nm. Day Skipper: 24 m, 12 nm. Powerboat Level 2: motor 10 m, 5 nm. ICC: as the certificate states, either 24 m / 12 nm or motor 10 m / 5 nm |
| Switzerland | Permis B (cantonal permits are for inland waters only) |
| Canada | Pleasure Craft Operator Card: listed "sin limitaciones" |
| Andorra | CY, PER, PNB (the PNB at 7 m, 3 nm, daylight) |
| Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela | Their listed yacht titles |
EEA countries (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are in by default, within whatever their title allows.
Where people get caught
- The wrong-country trap. An American living in Florida who did an RYA Day Skipper in the Solent holds a UK title, but the UK is neither their nationality nor their residence. On the wording of DA 3ª, that title does not qualify them to rent a Spanish boat. The same logic applies to a Brazilian resident holding a French permit.
- Not on the list. US state boating cards, Australian licences, South African and Russian titles are not EEA and not in Anexo IX. They are not accepted for hire, however experienced the holder.
- Motor versus sail. Your RYA or ICC endorsement matters. A sail-only endorsement does not cover a motorboat.
- Jet skis. Whether a foreign yacht or powerboat title lets you rent a jet ski by the day is not settled in the rules. Expect firms to take different views.
TIP — Professionals DA 3ª.3 also lets holders of a valid STCW professional certificate hire Spanish boats bareboat for recreation, within that certificate's attributions. Crew on a day off, bring your CoC.
Foreign-flag rental boats
If the rental boat itself flies another flag, a different rule applies (DA 5ª). If your nationality matches the flag, you need the title your own country requires. If not, you need what your country of residence requires, or failing that your nationality. In the Balearics, most small rental boats are Spanish-flagged, so DA 3ª is the one you will meet.
CAUTION — The Licencia is Spain-only The ministry states that Spanish recreational titles cover Spanish-flagged or Spanish-registered craft. Do not expect a Licencia de Navegación to be recognised by rental firms in Croatia or Greece.
If your card doesn't qualify
The practical fallback is a Licencia de Navegación course at a Balearic school (Module 2), or a skippered rental.