Legal frame
Governing: D.Lgs. 171/2005 arts 3, 27(5) and 39(1)(a); D.M. 146/2008 art. 54(3); D.M. 1 Sep 2021 art. 6; local ordinances (example: Palermo 46/2026 art. 13). Builds on: L1.1, L1.2.
The rule
Art. 39(1)(a) is blunt: a licence is compulsory for navigation beyond 6 nm "o, comunque, su moto d'acqua" — or, in any case, on a jet ski. There is no small, licence-free jet ski. The legal definition (hull under 4 m, water-jet, rider on the hull) catches almost every personal watercraft on the market.
What counts as a licence:
- an Italian patente nautica category A;
- the newer Italian D1 licence, available from 16, which covers jet skis within 1 nm by day (see Patente Nautica D1 prep);
- a foreign licence under art. 34 — within its limits, so check that yours covers personal watercraft (Lesson 1.2).
Where and when
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Within 1 nm of the coast | Codice art. 27(5) |
| Hire only from 1 hour after dawn to 1 hour before sunset, in favourable weather | D.M. 1 Sep 2021 art. 6(1) |
| Not hired out to anyone under 14 | art. 6(2) |
| Lifejacket worn permanently by rider and passengers, at any distance | D.M. 146 art. 54(3) |
| No sub-letting | art. 7 |
The Codice leaves the details of jet-ski use to the local maritime authority (art. 27(6)), and summer ordinances fill that space.
What a local ordinance adds: Palermo 2026
Palermo's 2026 bathing-safety ordinance (art. 13) is a good example of the extra layer:
- licence always required, whatever the engine;
- an automatic-return throttle and a kill-cord attached to the rider (or self-circling steering);
- rental jet skis must carry a remote cut-off, so the operator can stop you from the beach;
- daytime only, wind up to Force 3 and sea up to state 2 (waves up to 0.5 m);
- within 1 nm, or 1,000 m from a support vessel;
- no children under 14 as passengers;
- no towing of water-skiers or banana boats behind a jet ski;
- in and out of the launch corridor at 3 kn, in displacement mode.
Other harbour offices write similar rules; the operator's briefing should cover yours.
Where you cannot go at all
Several marine protected areas ban jet skis throughout — among them Portofino, Tavolara–Punta Coda Cavallo and Punta Campanella. Lesson 3.3 has the detail. Riding into one is not a speeding matter; it is a breach of protected-area rules.
WARNING — The kill-cord is not optional Clip it to your wrist or lifejacket before you start the engine. Without it, a fall leaves a jet ski circling or running on while you are in the water, often towards other swimmers.
CAUTION — Beach zones Jet skis may not cross the bathing zone except through a marked launch corridor at walking pace (Lesson 3.1). Most jet-ski complaints to the Guardia Costiera start there.
If you have no licence
Some operators sell "guided excursions" with an instructor. Before paying, ask who is legally in command and on whose licence. If the answer is vague, so is your insurance.