What Is the ICC? Your Boating Certificate Explained

What the ICC Actually Is (And What It Isn't)

The International Certificate of Competence, or ICC, is a document that proves you can safely operate a recreational vessel in foreign waters. It was established under United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Resolution No. 40, adopted in 1998 and updated in 2013. Despite what many charter companies imply, the ICC is not a sailing licence. It is a certificate of competence, a standardised proof that your home country's maritime authority considers you qualified to skipper a boat.

Think of it as an International Driving Permit for boats. Your national qualification, an RYA Day Skipper or IYT Bareboat Skipper for example, is the actual licence. The ICC translates that qualification into a format recognised across borders. If you already hold certain national qualifications, obtaining the ICC is a formality. If you don't, you'll need to pass a practical and theory assessment.

The ICC covers two categories: inland waterways and coastal waters. For yacht chartering, you need the coastal waters endorsement, which covers vessels up to 24 metres. Some countries also require a separate VHF radio licence, the Short Range Certificate or SRC. The ICC alone may not be your only piece of paperwork.

Where You Actually Need an ICC

Not every country requires an ICC. Some insist on it by law, others recommend it, and a few couldn't care less. Requirements can change, and charter companies sometimes impose stricter rules than national law demands. The table below reflects the current situation as of early 2026.

Country	ICC Required?	Notes
Croatia	Mandatory	Required for all bareboat charters. Also need VHF/SRC licence. See Croatia sailing guide.
Italy	Mandatory	Required for vessels over 10m (most charter yachts). See Italy sailing guide.
Spain	Mandatory	Spanish authorities accept ICC or equivalent national licence. See Spain sailing guide.
France	Mandatory	Required for foreign nationals operating vessels with engines over 6hp.
Greece	Recommended	Not strictly required by law, but most charter companies demand it. See Greece sailing guide.
Turkey	Recommended	Charter companies usually accept RYA Day Skipper directly. See Turkey sailing guide.
Montenegro	Recommended	Authorities accept ICC or RYA certificates. See Montenegro guide.
BVI	Not needed	A sailing CV and charter company approval are usually sufficient. See BVI sailing guide.
Thailand	Not needed	No formal certification required for recreational sailing. See Thailand guide.

A practical rule of thumb: if you're planning a bareboat charter anywhere in the Mediterranean, get an ICC. It costs you a day and saves you from arguments at the charter base.

How to Get an ICC: 4 Paths

The right route depends on what qualifications you already hold, where you live, and how much you want to spend.

Path 1: Convert an Existing RYA Qualification (€50 to €80)

If you already hold an RYA Day Skipper practical certificate or higher, you can apply for an ICC through the RYA without taking another exam. The application costs approximately £54 (around €63) as of 2026. Fill in a form, provide a passport photo, and the RYA posts you the certificate. Processing takes 5 to 10 working days. This is the cheapest and fastest route by a considerable margin.

To go this route, you must be a UK or EU national, or a resident of the UK. If you hold an IYT Bareboat Skipper, check whether your national authority will convert it. The RYA only converts its own qualifications.

Path 2: Take the RYA ICC Exam Directly (€100 to €200)

If you have sailing experience but no formal qualification, you can sit the RYA ICC assessment directly at an RYA training centre. The exam typically takes one day. Prices range from £95 to £175 (approximately €110 to €200) depending on the centre. The assessment covers a theory section and practical boat handling. You must demonstrate competence, not perfection. If you've been sailing for a season or two, this is achievable without additional training.

Path 3: Take a Combined Course and Exam (€200 to €500)

For sailors with limited experience, some schools offer a combined 2 to 5 day course that includes ICC preparation and the exam itself. Expect €200 to €300 for a 2-day intensive in the UK, or €300 to €500 for courses based in Mediterranean locations like Croatia or Greece. These courses typically cover the same ground as an RYA Day Skipper practical, compressed into a shorter format.

Path 4: Croatian Boat Skipper B Licence (€200 to €350)

Croatia issues its own Boat Skipper Category B licence, which doubles as proof of competence for chartering in Croatian waters. Some charter companies in Split and Zadar offer this exam as part of a multi-day sailing package. The cost runs €200 to €350 and includes a theory exam, often available in English, plus a practical demonstration. This licence is accepted in Croatia but may not be recognised elsewhere in the EU. For Mediterranean-wide bareboat chartering, the standard ICC is the better investment.

What the ICC Exam Covers

The ICC assessment has two components: theory and practical. Neither is designed to be a gruelling ordeal. If you've completed a few bareboat weeks and can read a chart, you should pass without drama.

Theory Section

• COLREGs (Collision Regulations): You must identify at least 12 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, including right-of-way rules for power, sail, and restricted-visibility situations.
• Buoyage: IALA System A (used in Europe) lateral and cardinal marks. You need to know what a West cardinal mark looks like and what it means.
• Safety equipment: Fire extinguisher types, flare types and their ranges, lifejacket requirements.
• Navigational basics: Chart symbols, depth soundings, identifying hazards.

Practical Section

• Man overboard (MOB) recovery: You'll perform a simulated MOB drill, typically recovering a fender from the water under engine.
• Berthing: Coming alongside a dock and picking up a mooring buoy. In the Med, stern-to berthing may be assessed.
• Boat handling under engine: Manoeuvring in a confined space, demonstrating control in forward and reverse.
• Sail handling: Setting and trimming sails. For the sail endorsement, you need to demonstrate tacking and gybing competently.

The pass rate is high. Most RYA centres report 85% to 90% of candidates passing on the first attempt. Fail one section, and you can usually retake just that section within a set period.

ICC vs National Sailing Licences

This is where confusion creeps in. The ICC is not a replacement for a national licence. It supplements one. Here's how the main qualifications compare:

Qualification	Issuing Body	Accepted Internationally?	ICC Equivalent?
RYA Day Skipper (Practical)	Royal Yachting Association (UK)	Widely accepted, especially by charter companies	Can be converted to ICC for €63
IYT Bareboat Skipper	International Yacht Training	Accepted by most charter companies worldwide	Not directly convertible to ICC via RYA
German SBF See	German Maritime Authority	Accepted in Germany and some EU countries	Can be converted to ICC via DSV
Croatian Boat Skipper B	Croatian Ministry of Maritime Affairs	Accepted in Croatia only	No
ICC	National authority under UNECE Res. 40	Recognised by all UNECE member states (38+ countries)	Yes, by definition

If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or higher, getting the ICC is a paperwork exercise. If you hold an IYT qualification, check with your national maritime authority. Some countries, Australia and South Africa among them, issue ICCs based on IYT certificates. Others don't. Plan ahead. Don't find out about this gap 48 hours before your charter starts.

Do You Need an ICC for a Skippered Charter?

No. If you're booking a skippered charter, the professional skipper holds all necessary qualifications. You are a guest, not the person responsible for the vessel. The ICC is only required when you are the skipper. That means bareboat charters exclusively.

If you're chartering with no experience, a skippered charter is the right starting point. You can learn on board, build your sea hours, and work toward your ICC afterwards.

My Honest Advice

If you have any intention of bareboat chartering in the Mediterranean, get the ICC. The cost ranges from €50 (converting an existing RYA qualification) to €300 (taking a combined course and exam), and the certificate is valid for 5 years. That works out to €10 to €60 per year of validity. Compared to the cost of a week's bareboat charter in Croatia, where the boat alone runs €2,000 to €4,000, the ICC is rounding error.

Three things to watch out for:

• VHF licence: Croatia, Italy, and several other countries require a separate Short Range Certificate (SRC) for operating the VHF radio. Budget an additional €75 to €150 and a half-day course for this.
• Validity: ICCs issued by the RYA are valid for 5 years. Some countries issue them with no expiry, but charter companies may refuse certificates older than 5 years regardless. Check before you travel.
• Practical experience matters more: The ICC proves minimum competence. It does not prove you can handle a 45-foot catamaran in a Force 6 Meltemi. If you're stepping up in boat size or sailing in challenging conditions, invest in additional training or hire a skipper for the first day. Your insurance company will thank you.

Start with the RYA vs IYT comparison to decide which qualification path suits you. Then convert or test for the ICC. Then go sailing.