Certifications to work on a boat in Spain: complete guide 2026

The question I get asked the most: what certification do I need to work on a boat? The answer depends on the role and the vessel. Here's the straightforward breakdown.

The nautical certification system in Spain

In Spain, certifications to navigate and work on vessels are regulated by the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante (DGMM). There are two main categories:

• Recreational certifications: to pilot vessels for leisure or professionally (PNB, PER, PY, CY)
• International safety certifications: to work paid on professional vessels (STCW, ENG1, GMDSS)

DGMM certifications: lowest to highest

Certificate	Max length	Navigation zone	Approx. cost
PNB	8m	5 miles from coast	€200–400
PER	15m	12 miles from coast	€400–700
PY	24m	Unlimited	€700–1,200
CY	Unlimited	Worldwide	€1,200–2,000

International safety certifications

• STCW Basic Safety: mandatory to work paid on professional vessels. 5 days, €250–450, valid 5 years. Full STCW guide here.
• ENG1: medical fitness certificate required by superyacht agencies. €150–300, valid 2 years.
• GMDSS: maritime radio operator certificate for offshore navigation.
• RYA Yachtmaster: internationally recognised, especially in the English-speaking superyacht market.

What certification do I need by role?

Role	Minimum	Recommended
Sailor / Deckhand	STCW	STCW + ENG1
Charter skipper (up to 15m)	PER + STCW	PER + STCW + ENG1
Yacht skipper (up to 24m)	PY + STCW	PY + STCW + ENG1 + GMDSS
Captain (+24m)	CY + full STCW	CY + STCW + ENG1 + GMDSS
Marine engineer	Mecánico Naval 1ª Clase	+ STCW
Stewardess	None mandatory	STCW + ENG1

Where to start?

1. STCW Basic Safety (5 days — opens all doors)
2. PER if you want to be a skipper
3. ENG1 for international superyacht market

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