Bareboat Charter License Requirements in Croatia

To charter a yacht bareboat in Croatia, you must hold a valid skipper's license and a VHF radio certificate, in accordance with Croatian maritime law. An official list of accepted licenses can be found here.

If you don’t have the required qualifications, you may either obtain a skipper’s license in Croatia or hire a licensed skipper for your sailing holiday.

The B Category skipper's license can be obtained in just one day by passing the exam. The physical license is typically issued within 1–3 business days after the exam. To apply, contact the nearest Harbourmaster's office. A list of offices is available here.

Yes, the Croatian skipper’s license is internationally recognized and valid for yacht charter and boat operation in many other countries.

Generally, yes. Most Croatian licenses include the VHF certificate if you pass the related radio communication (radiofonia) section during the exam. If not, you can take a separate VHF radio exam by paying an additional fee. Contact the Harbourmaster's office where you took the skipper exam for details.

The Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure in Croatia issues several categories of licenses suitable for yacht charter and boat rental:

1. Boat Skipper Category A:
- Boats up to 7 meters in length with engines up to 15kW
- Navigation zones III and IV

2. Boat Skipper Category B:
- Pleasure or charter boats up to 30 GT without professional crew
- Navigation zones III and IV

3. Boat Skipper Category C:
- All boats up to 30 GT
- Navigation zones I, II, and international waters

4. Yacht Master Categories A and B:
- Up to 100 GT (A) and 500 GT (B)
- Valid for global cruising

Gross Tonnage (GT), also referred to as Brutto Tonnage (BT), is the total internal volume of a yacht or boat, including all enclosed spaces.

Use this formula to estimate GT for a sailing yacht:
GT = (Length × Beam × Draft × 0.57) / 100

Example:
Bavaria 37 Cruiser = (37.45 ft × 12.54 ft × 6.43 ft × 0.57) / 100 ≈ 17.21 GT

For catamarans:
Lagoon 450 = (46.06 ft × 25.87 ft × 4.29 ft × 0.57) / 100 ≈ 30 GT

For powerboats, use 0.67 instead of 0.57. This formula applies approximately to vessels up to 75 ft (≈ 23m). Always verify GT against your license before chartering.

The B Category skipper exam (Voditelj brodice) is straightforward and mostly theoretical. Exams are held at any Harbourmaster's office in Croatia, typically once a week during the charter season. It lasts 1–2 hours. The cost for foreign citizens is approximately 150 EUR, set by the Ministry of Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure.

You’ll need:
1. Completed application form and proof of payment
2. Two recent passport-sized photos (2.5 x 3.5 cm)
3. Copy of passport or ID card
4. Payment receipt

No need to retake the exam. Contact the Harbourmaster's office where you were certified. Submit required documents including two photos, a copy of your passport, completed forms, tax stamps, and fee payment. A replacement license will be issued within a few days.

If your charter boat exceeds 30 GT, you'll need a Yachtmaster license. This requires holding at least a B Category license, completing additional training, and passing theoretical and practical exams. Yachtmaster exams are organized by certified training centers in Croatia.

You can easily purchase a fishing license online at this official government site: Fishing License Croatia