Legal frame
Governing: ΓΚΛ 38 art. 4, 6; ΓΚΛ 20 art. 9(6)–(13), 28, 29 as amended by ΦΕΚ Β' 4559/2026. Builds on: L1.3, L2.1.
Self-drive or skippered
Under ΓΚΛ 38 the rental contract names who skippers. There are three options (art. 4(1)):
| Skipper named | Licence-free motor boat | Speedboat |
|---|---|---|
| You (the hirer) | Allowed, aged 18+ | Only if you hold an acceptable licence |
| Operator's employee | Allowed | Allowed, if the employee holds a licence; the employee also signs |
| The operator | Allowed | Allowed, if licensed |
The operator must not rent a speedboat unless a licence holder is named (art. 6(1)(γ)). So for visitors without an acceptable licence, the skippered hire is the lawful way onto a bigger boat. The named skipper takes on the master's duties (art. 7).
WARNING — "just sign as skipper" If you sign as skipper of a speedboat without a licence, you are the unlicensed operator the Coast Guard will fine. A friendly operator does not change that.
Skippered day trips on larger boats are passenger services under other rules (professional pleasure vessels, law 4926/2022). They are outside this guide.
Hiring a jet ski
Every jet-ski rider needs a licence (L1.1). On top of that, ΓΚΛ 20 art. 9 puts controls on the operator that shape your day:
- Licence holders only. Rental to anyone without a licence is prohibited (art. 9(8)).
- Three at most. No approval covers more than 3 jet skis (art. 9(7)). Big fleets on one beach should make you wonder.
- Remote cut-off. The operator holds a control panel that can stop your engine from 1,000 m or more if you endanger swimmers or boats (art. 9(6)).
- Within sight. Rented jet skis may go only where the operator can see and control them (art. 9(9)).
- Launch points. Start and finish only from a floating platform, an orange mooring buoy at least 200 m offshore, an anchored ship at least 200 m out, a point beyond the distance limits of L3.2, or the marked channel at minimum speed (art. 9(10), 28, 29).
- Tracking from 24 December 2026. ΦΕΚ Β' 4559/2026 (24 July 2026) adds a new art. 9(13): rented jet skis carry satellite tracking and remote control that the operator switches on and uses to enforce the movement rules. It applies five months after publication: 24 July + 5 months = 24 December 2026.
The general jet-ski rules apply too: daylight only, no rocky areas, a quick-stop (kill-cord) fitted, no external propellers, lifejackets for everyone aboard, no towing and no more riders than the maker allows (art. 9(2), 9(4)).
Deposits and damage
We found no Greek rule on rental deposits. Neither ΓΚΛ 38 nor ΓΚΛ 20 sets an amount, a method or a refund deadline. What the law does say:
- The contract may not contain terms that consumer-protection law treats as abusive (ΓΚΛ 38 art. 4(3)).
- The operator must issue a rental certificate and a tax receipt (art. 4(4), 6(4)).
- Boats must be insured for civil liability (death, injury, damage, pollution); the policy covers third parties, not necessarily damage to the rented boat.
TIP — before you pay Photograph the hull, propeller and fuel gauge at handover. Ask what the deposit covers, whether it is a card hold or cash, and when it is released. Get the answers in the contract.