Framework
Governing: RD 1435/2010 (lists 6 and 7); RD 1027/1989 art. 4 as amended; RD 804/2014 art. 3. Builds on: L2.1.
Why the list matters
A Spanish registration mark is not just a number. The first part tells an inspector which list the boat is on, and the list tells them how the boat may be used.
| List | Use | Typical boats |
|---|---|---|
| 6ª | Recreational craft "explotados con fines lucrativos": charter, hire, commercial use | Charter fleets, day-hire boats, commercial yachts |
| 7ª | Recreational craft for private, non-profit use | Privately owned yachts and boats |
RD 804/2014 art. 3 puts it in plain terms for buques de recreo. Private use is navigation by the owner or persons linked to them "without in any case profit or payment for the use". Commercial use is operating the vessel under any title with payment.
Registration basics
RD 1435/2010 sets the procedure for flagging and registering embarcaciones de recreo on lists 6 and 7:
- Application to the maritime district of the chosen port of registry.
- The registration mark is painted permanently on both bows, as high as possible above the waterline, light on dark hulls and dark on light (art. 7.4).
- A name is compulsory over 12 m (art. 7.1).
- A tender (≤4 m, ≤8 kW, serving only the main boat) carries the parent's mark plus "Aux" (art. 7.5).
- CE-marked boats ≤12 m may use a lighter inscription regime instead of full registration (art. 8), limited to Spanish territorial waters and their design category. The ministry accepts this regime for charter boats entered "as lucrative craft".
List changes between 6ª and 7ª are registrable acts under RD 1435/2010 (art. 3.3).
CAUTION — The passenger count RD 1435/2010 art. 2.t defines passengers as everyone aboard except infants under one year, the skipper and crew, and people employed aboard. Charter boats may carry no more than 12 passengers (plus crew); above that, passenger-ship rules apply.
What lista 6ª brings with it
Moving to lista 6ª is not just a paperwork change. The boat takes on:
- the commercial equipment extras of RD 339/2021 (for example a liferaft service interval of no more than 24 months);
- the lista 6ª survey regime;
- insurance: third-party liability and accident cover for everyone aboard;
- despacho before sailing on charter;
- professional skipper and crew for crewed charter.
These are covered in detail in Spanish-Flag Charter Compliance.
And lista 7ª?
A lista 7ª boat may not be chartered unless it holds an authorised temporary change of use under RONM art. 9 (L3.2). That route is limited to three consecutive months a year, managed by a charter company, and not accepted in the Balearic Islands (Decreto 44/2025 art. 3.3).
TIP — Check the papers before you sign on If you are hired to skipper "private" trips that are in fact paid, ask to see the registration certificate. A lista 7ª boat without a change-of-use authorisation is running illegal charter, and the unlicensed-activity risk falls partly on you as skipper.