Skipper licences in Spain: PNB, PER, Patrón and Capitán de Yate, and foreign licence recognition

Spain has four recreational licences. PNB covers boats up to 8 m within 5 miles of shelter. PER, Patrón de Yate and Capitán de Yate extend length and distance.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 3 min read

Key points

PNB: motor boats up to 8 m, within 5 nautical miles of a port, marina or shelter.
PER: up to 15 m, within 12 miles of the coast. Patrón de Yate: up to 24 m, within 150 miles. Capitán de Yate: up to 24 m, with no geographic limit.
Foreign licence recognition depends on the licence, the boat's flag and the waters. Confirm before you sail.

The four Spanish licences

Royal Decree 875/2014 sets the recreational boating qualifications. The limits below come from Spanish regional government sources. We have not checked the consolidated decree, so confirm the figures with the Capitanía before you buy a boat on the strength of them.

PNB (Patrón para Navegación Básica). Motor boats up to 8 m in length, not more than 5 nautical miles from a port, marina or shelter.
PER (Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo). Boats up to 15 m, within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
Patrón de Yate. Boats up to 24 m, within 150 nautical miles of the coast. It requires the PER, a theory exam and the required sea time.
Capitán de Yate. Boats up to 24 m, with no geographic limit. It requires the Patrón de Yate.

What this means for Barcelona to Mallorca

The Balearics lie beyond the 5-mile limit of the PNB. A boat of 12 m on that crossing needs at least a PER. One source indicates the PER also covers the crossing between the mainland and the Balearics. Confirm the permitted areas with the Capitanía.

Foreign licences

Spain's recognition of foreign licences depends on the licence, the boat's flag and the area. We could not confirm a general rule. If you hold an RYA, ICC or other licence, ask the Capitanía what it covers, before you take delivery of a boat. If the boat is Spanish-flagged, the Spanish rules apply to its skipper.

Radio

A VHF radio on board needs a qualified operator. Ask the Capitanía for the current certificate and the boat's radio licence requirement.

Choosing a licence for the boat you want

Match the licence to the longest boat and the longest passage you expect in the next five years. A PNB fits a small motor boat on day trips along the coast. A PER fits most 9 to 15 m boats, which covers the typical 30 to 50 ft boat in this Playbook. Boats between 15 and 24 m need the Patrón de Yate at least. See Yacht sizes: 30, 40, 50, 60 ft. What actually changes?.

Practical steps

Choose the boat's length and your cruising area first.
Pick the licence that matches, or plan to hire a skipper. See Hiring a skipper for training.
Tell the insurer which licence the skipper holds. See Marine insurance: cruising limits, agreed value, winter storage.

Also useful at step 6 Hiring a skipper for training

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.