Boating License

When a boat is larger than 15 meters or faster than 20 mph, you need a boating license. Below, we make a small and convenient list of them for you.

Small boat license
Small sailing license or Sailing License 1 and Sailing License A. Sailing License 1 is required for inland waters and is valid up to a vessel length of 25 meters. Sailing License A is a supplement to Sailing License 1 and grants you access to the IJsselmeer the Wadden Sea and Ooster- and Westerschelde. These boating licenses are fairly easy to obtain, when you possess both it is also called Boating License 2.

Limited large boat license
The Large Boat License is required if you own a recreational boat longer than 25 meters but shorter than 40 meters. As the name implies, your vessel may not be used professionally.

Large Cruising License
You must hold a major boating license if you sail your vessel professionally. So this applies to barges (Kempenaar, Dortmunder, etc.), tugs, pushers and passenger ships.

For more information, please visit: www.vaarbewijzen.nl