Sailing abroad in 2025: everything you need, from documents to insurance

There is something special aboutraising the sails to another country: the horizon that opens wide, the languages that change, the scents of different land that you can already smell before you dock. Yet an invisible but very real obstacle creeps between dream and reality: bureaucracy. While on paper the European Union and the Schengen agreements have torn down customs and formalities, for those arriving from the sea things are not always so simple. Even among “friendly” nations, the yachtsman has to deal with rules, obligations, certificates, and regulations that are often unclear, sometimes disapplied, and at other times miscommunicated even by local authorities. It only takes a little to turn a vacation into a chase through websites, port offices and unnecessary waste of time.

With the nightmare of hefty fines. Especially if you are sailing on an Italian vessel, which in some countries is not even recognized as an “official” unit. So what? Should one give up? Far from it. Knowing the rules in advance, having the right documents on board and respecting naval etiquette is the first step to enjoying the freedom of the sea in total serenity. So here is an essential guide to regulations in the countries closest to our Boot, the favorite destinations of many Italian sailors: France, Slovenia, Croatia and Greece.

General rules

Sailing outside national borders does not require a change of sails, but of mindset. Every country has its own rules, and the sea is no exception. Here is what you need to have on board at all times, regardless of the route.

Personal documents

Each person on board must have a valid identity document for expatriation:

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• EU countries: identity card or passport (valid)
• Non-EU countries only passport

On-board documents

They must be in original, up-to-date, and on hand. The list varies depending on whether you are sailing in a boat or a watercraft.

For boats:

• Navigation License
• Security Certificate
• Liability insurance (also valid for the country in which you are sailing)
• Declaration of engine power (for outboard, if any)
• License to Operate Radiotelephone System
• Limited radio telephonist certificate (or higher radio certificate)
• EC Declaration of Conformity (for CE marked boats)
• license

For vessels:

• Liability insurance (valid for the country in which you are sailing)
• Engine power declaration
• License to Operate Radiotelephone System
• Limited radio telephonist certificate (or higher radio certificate)
• EC Declaration of Conformity (for CE marked boats);
• although not mandatory in every nation (see below) it is advisable to have a boat license:
• for those who sail vessels, it is useful to have the “Attestazione per natanti da diporto italiani” issued by Confindustria Nautica.

Some countries, as the vessel is an unregistered unit, may contest its nationality or seaworthiness in territorial waters. But it should be remembered that it is not a document that can formally certify Italian unity status.

Naval label

A few simple gestures, but they are a good calling card when approaching a foreign country.

Courtesy flag: rises upon entering the territorial waters of the host country

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• In single-masted sailboats: to starboard from the outermost part.
• With multiple trees: at the main cross of the mast.
• It must be smaller than the national size and must be kept up both in port and at sea.

Flag “Q” (yellow): rises when entering port for the first time in non-EU countries, calls for “free practice,” or permission to land.

• It rises to the left main cross.
• It can be supplemented by a VHF radio call to the local maritime authority.

Sailing in France

Sailing in France is, fortunately, low stress from a bureaucratic point of view. But beware, even here there is no shortage of little regulatory pitfalls especially if you are sailing a boat or not paying attention to pollution regulations.

Vessels: the knot of identification. Those sailing in France with an Italian vessel (thus not registered) must have on board:

• Liability insurance with owner’s name on it.
• If the captain is not the owner: a statement (preferably bilingual, in Italian and French) attesting to the authorization to use the unit.

Why is it needed? Because in the past our vessels, not being registered in the maritime registers, were frequently fined for lack of “recognizability,” especially in Corsica and the French Riviera. This documentation is the result of an agreement between Italian and French authorities, and remains recommended to this day.

Blackwater: mandatory reservoirs. Water protection is a priority in France. To access ports, moorings and anchorages at sea, all boats (including foreigners) equipped with marine toilets must comply with these rules:

• If built after 2008: have a tank where black water can be discharged;
• If older and tankless: forbidden to discharge into the sea, must use shore services, in any case it is forbidden to discharge black water less than 12 miles from the coast.
• Some marinas will not accept berths if there is no black water collection system on board.

Protectedareas: the indispensable app. France is rich in marine protected areas with constraints on transit, anchoring and mooring. To stay up-to-date on rules, territorial limits and other navigational information you can consult the free Donia app available for iOS and Android. Info: https://donia.fr/

Sailing in Slovenia

A small stretch of coastline, less than 50 kilometers, but with a charm all its own dotted with coves, historic harbors and turquoise-water bays. However, to sail here one must be careful of the rules, which Slovenia strictly enforces especially with watercraft.

Vessels: banned from entering. In Slovenia our (unregistered) vessels cannot sail. In fact, Slovenian regulations require registration in official maritime registers for almost all vessels, including foreign ones. With a few exceptions:

• tender
• rowboats
• kayak
• Hulls under 3 meters with engine less than 3.7 kW

”Attestazione per natanti”: not recognized. The Port Authority of Koper has confirmed that it does not consider valid the new Italian document ‘”Attestazione per natanti da diporto” designed precisely to avoid these problems for vessels traveling abroad. Italian vessels therefore cannot sail or transit Slovenian waters even if they are headed to Croatia. The route then must remain outside Slovenian territorial waters.

Boats: there are no special requirements for boats going to Slovenia other than.

• Have valid liability insurance to navigate these waters
• The requirement to sail 250 meters from the coast in areas frequented by swimmers

License: always required. A driver’s license is required in Slovenia for anyone who drives:

• boats longer than 3 meters or
• boats with engine power greater than 5 hp

Sailing in Croatia

With over 1,700 kilometers of coastline and more than 1,100 islands (most of them uninhabited) Croatia is a true sailor’s paradise. Beware, however, that in addition to the crystal-clear sea and well-organized marinas, the bureaucracy here is no joke. Taxes, regulations, and controls are the order of the day. Let’s see how to avoid nasty surprises.

Boatdocuments: everything is needed. In addition to the standard documents (navigation license, radio certificates, insurance, etc.) you must have on board:

• A certificate of ownership (copy contract, receipt of purchase)
• If the owner is not on board: written power of attorney (in Italian and English) authorizing use of the unit
• In case of rental: contract on board

License: compulsory. A driver’s license is required to drive any type of motor unit.

Sailing tax (former vignette): in Croatia you have to pay a tax for safety and protection of the sea if you sail with units:

• greater than 2.5 meters in length
• With motor power greater than 5kW

The fee is annual (expires Dec. 31), is calculated according to the length of the boat and engine power, and is payable:

• at the local harbormaster’s office
• through the e-Nautika online portal.

Touristtax: two options. It is mandatory for all units over 7 meters in length. It can be paid in 2 ways:

• Flat rate: based on length of boat and number of days planned in Croatia (standard periods of 3, 8, 15, 30, 90 days and 1 year are provided)
• Per person/night: the standard rate is 1.33 euros per person per night (reductions provided for the elderly, children, disabled, etc.).
• After payment you will receive a confirmation message to your e-mail address, which must be kept throughout your stay on board the unit.
• Payment is made on the portal: nautika.evisitor.hr

Customschecks: the risk is there. The Croatian Ministry of the Sea reminds us on its website that even EU-flagged boats can be subject to customs checks when sailing in Croatia. This is actually quite rare. Better, however, to have documents proving payment of VAT, for example:

• T2L module
• original purchase receipt
• equivalent tax document

Vessels: accepted (for now). Although a ban has been announced several times, currently Italian boats can sail in Croatia. Better still to make sure you have:

• boating license
• The “Attestation for Italian pleasure craft”

Alcohol: zero tolerance. Croatia recently introduced a strict alcohol consumption law that provides zero tolerance for boat captains. Consumption of alcohol before and while operating the vessel is prohibited. Penalties are severe.

News 2025. A new safety regulation has been in effect in Croatia since March 2025, introducing many new features for boaters. Of note are the new minimum distances from the coast to be respected, rules on anchorages and moorings, and speed limits. We wrote about them in this article.

Greece

Myths, Meltemi and dreamy islets-Greece is an irresistible lure for the yachtsman. From the placid (not always) Ionian to the rugged Aegean, every route is an adventure amid history, culture and blue seabed. But even the Hellenic sea hides a few bureaucratic stumbling blocks. Here’s how to overcome them unscathed.

Controls: at the discretion of the local authority The management of maritime bureaucracy in Greece is not uniform: although the rules are the same, enforcement can change from area to area. On some islands, controls may be strict, on others nonexistent. When in doubt, better to be in compliance.

Navigation tax: the name is “Tepai.” Boats over 7 meters long are subject to paying Tepai, the Greek navigation tax introduced in 2019. The amount varies:

• Depending on the size or type of boat
• Based on length of stay (monthly or yearly)
• must be paid by the first day of arrival
  – online at the official website
  – on-site at the Harbormaster’s Office or collection agencies

Some marinas may ask for proof of payment before allowing berthing.

Nauticallicense: always mandatory for the captain. The Italian one is recognized.

Liabilityinsurance: environmental extension needed. It is required with contract terms written in English, must include environmental (pollution) coverage with minimum limits of 150,000 euros per claim and 450,000 euros in total for the insured period.

Customs checks: even in Greece, EU-flagged boats can be checked regarding payment of VAT. Better to have proof of tax payment on board, for example:

• T2L module
• original purchase receipt
• equivalent tax document

Tip: If you are moving from island to island it is best to have multiple copies of your personal and boat documents on board in English or Greek to speed up checks.

Fabrizio Coccia