Contents

Who this information is for 

Before taking a UK-flagged pleasure vessel abroad, it’s essential to ensure you have the correct paperwork for both the boat and everyone on board. This guidance explains which documents you may need when travelling under your own power or with a boat being towed, and highlights key requirements such as registration, insurance, radio licences, travel documents and evidence of competence. 

This information is written as a guide for UK residents taking a UK-flagged pleasure vessel abroad. There may be different requirements for boats registered in other flag states (countries), for people not resident in the UK and for boats operated commercially. 

If you are boating abroad and find something is different or come across something new, please let us know by emailing cruising@rya.org.uk

Essential documents for a boat under its own propulsion 

When you sail a UK registered pleasure vessel from the UK to another country, you will need papers for both the boat and crew. 

The core set of papers (ship’s papers) listed below, along with your passport, other personal paperwork, and any country-specific documents or publications, should enable you to satisfy a foreign official. Where documents are issued in paper format, you should carry the original. 

You can also check country-specific requirements on our country advice pages. 

Ship’s papers 

• Registration document 
• Ship radio licence 
• Insurance documents (requirements vary by country and may be required in the language of the country you are visiting) 
• Evidence of eligibility for relief from VAT and import duty (for your return to the UK) 
• Voyage log 

Essential documents for a boat being trailed/towed 

The paperwork listed here is for travelling with the boat and trailer before it’s launched. After the boat is launched, you’ll need the documents listed under ‘Ship’s papers’. 

• Trailer registration certificate (required for trailers over 750kg to drive to or through most countries in Europe, apart from Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Spain) Check when and how to register a trailer.  
• Trailer registration plate to be displayed on the trailer (where trailer registration is required) 
• Boat registration document and bill of sale, or other evidence of ownership 
• Vehicle breakdown and recovery insurance (recommended) 
• Vehicle/trailer/boat insurance. Check if you need a green card (not required for driving in the EU) 
• UK sticker. Check if you need to display a UK sticker 
• Documentation for customs declarations, which may include evidence of eligibility for relief from import duty and VAT on your return to the UK. Read about this on our entry and exit formalities page 

As well as preparing documentation for your journey you should familiarise yourself with the different rules and regulations that may apply in the countries you are travelling to or through.  

This might include equipment that you need to carry or different speed limits. Further information to help you to prepare to drive abroad can be found in the GOV.UK  drive abroad: step by step tool, on Driving in the EU, and at Road rules and safety. There is also a useful AA guide. 

Essential documents for people 

As well as documents for your boat, you will also need documents for the people on board or, for a boat being towed, the people driving the car and/or operating the boat. 

• Passport or other recognised travel document and visa if applicable (including electronic visas or authorisations such as ETIAS and ETA)* 
• Evidence of competence (requirements vary by country) 
• Authority to operate maritime radio (if applicable) 
• GHIC and insurance cover for medical care abroad and repatriation to the UK 
• Vehicle driving licence valid for the combination of vehicle and trailer (if trailing) 
• International Driving Permit (IDP) if required. Check if you need an IDP (if trailing) 

* You will need to enter passport and any visa details for everyone on board when you complete your pleasure craft report on GOV.UK.  

Boat registration document 

Pleasure vessel registration is not compulsory if you are a UK citizen and your boat remains in the UK. However, if you plan to take your boat outside UK territorial waters - either travelling by boat or launching in non-UK waters - registration is essential. You should always be prepared to show the original registration document and not a photocopy.  

In the UK, boats are registered with the UK Ship Register, part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The Register is divided into four parts, and the part you choose depends on how the boat is used. For private recreational vessels, registration is usually under Part 1 or Part 3. 

Part 1 of the UK Ship Register provides formal proof of both a vessel’s nationality and ownership. It also allocates a unique vessel name and Official Number and enables the registration of marine mortgages. Any British citizen can register a vessel on Part 1, even if they live abroad or spend only limited time in the UK. If the owner is not normally resident in the UK, they must appoint a representative who is. 

The Small Ships Register (Part 3) is designed for UK pleasure vessel owners who want to take their boat into international waters and need a simple way to prove its nationality. It is a lower‑cost alternative to Part 1 registration. To register, you must be ordinarily resident in the UK - for at least 185 days within a 12‑month period. The location of the boat does not affect eligibility. 

The UK Ship Register now issues some registration certificates digitally. In the UK, a digital or “home-printed” copy is considered the original. The digital certificate has a QR code which foreign ports can scan. To date, we are not aware of any reported issues with digital certificates being accepted overseas.  

For convenience and peace of mind, you may wish to print and laminate the digital certificate so that you have a durable physical copy onboard. 

Additional evidence of ownership 

We recommend carrying additional proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale, especially if your boat is registered under Part 3 of the UK Ship Register. Unlike Part 1 registration, Part 3 registration does not constitute legal proof of ownership on its own, so having supporting documents can help you avoid delays or questions when dealing with authorities. 

If the boat owner is not on board - for example, if you have borrowed the boat - you may also need supporting documentation (such as a letter of authorisation) to show that the boat is being used legitimately and not for illegal chartering. 

Marking your boat’s tender 

You should clearly mark your tender “T/T [name of mother ship]”. If you use the tender for anything other than simple ship‑to‑shore transport, some jurisdictions may treat it as a separate pleasure craft 

Maritime radio licences 

Under the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Radio Regulations, all transmitting stations must be licensed. This requirement applies to all maritime radio equipment—including VHF or VHF DSC radio, radar, EPIRBs and PLBs, and AIS. Under these rules, such equipment must be covered by a Ship Radio Licence. VHF radios may only be operated by, or under the supervision of, someone who holds a maritime radio operator certificate. 

Ship radio licence 

If radio equipment is installed or used on a UK registered vessel, the vessel must hold a Ship Radio Licence issued by Ofcom. This licence specifies the equipment it covers and must be kept on board. A Ship Radio Licence also provides the vessel with an International Call Sign and, where applicable, a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.  

In the UK, a handheld VHF radio can be licensed under a Ship Portable Radio Licence, which allows the device to be used on more than one boat. This licence is intended only for use within UK territorial waters. Instead of an internationally recognised call sign, it is issued with a T number, which is not recognised internationally. 

Details of Ship Portable Radio Licences are not submitted to the ITU, and the licence explicitly states that it “covers the use of the radio equipment in UK territorial waters.” For this reason, a Ship Portable Radio Licence is not sufficient for use outside UK territorial waters. 

Maritime radio operator’s certificate 

The Radio Regulations require anyone operating a maritime radio station to hold a radio operator certificate issued or formally recognised by the government responsible for that station. For UK recreational boaters using a DSC‑equipped VHF radio, this certificate is normally the RYA‑issued Short Range Certificate (SRC). 

Read about the validity of the SRC overseas, as well as details of other UK maritime radio operator certificates. 

Evidence of competence 

Many UK pleasure vessels are exempt from the UK manning regulations which determine levels of competence for operating vessels.  

However, once you are in the territorial or internal waters of another country you may need to be able to evidence your competence. Requirements vary widely, so it’s important to check local rules before you travel. 

Even if certificates are not formally required, it’s a good idea to carry any certificates you have when cruising abroad. Many countries ask to see the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft (ICC). 

For more details, see Evidence of Competence Abroad. 

Travel documents, visas and electronic travel authorisations 

Every crew member must carry a recognised travel document, such as a valid passport. Before travelling, you should always check whether you need a visa, electronic authorisation, or if there are limits on how long you can stay in a country. You can check this using the UK Government’s Foreign Travel Advice service. 

Passport validity 

Make sure your passport is both in date and valid for entry to your destination. For the EU, EEA and Switzerland, some “over 10 year” passports may not be valid even if they have not yet expired. The rules on passport validity for travelling to Europe changed, so always check the latest guidance. 

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 

From late 2026, most travellers from visa exempt countries (including the UK) are expected to need to apply online for ETIAS, a mandatory pretravel electronic authorisation. ETIAS is not a visa, but a pre travel authorisation similar to a UK ETA or US ESTA. It is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.  

Electronic travel authorisations and private (non-commercial) travel 

Not all electronic visas/authorisations are valid if you are not travelling on a commercial route. For example, the US ESTA is only valid when entering the US via a designated signatory carrier – this does not include private yachts. 

Insurance 

Boat insurance 

Many European countries will ask to see evidence of valid insurance. Some countries specify minimum liability cover or require a translated certificate – your insurer should be able to provide this. Be aware of any territorial limits of your cover. 

Travel, medical and repatriation insurance 

Consider whether you should have appropriate travel, medical and repatriation insurance in place. Guidance on choosing suitable travel insurance is available from Foreign Travel Insurance.  

Check your insurance provides the cover you need. Many standard travel insurance policies either limit or exclude boating activities. Some policies exclude boating altogether if it is the main purpose of the trip—such as, on a yacht charter holiday. 

If your policy does include boating, check that any restrictions are clearly explained. Terms such as “coastal” often appear in policy documents but do not have a universally agreed definition. If any wording is unclear, ask your insurer to confirm what is and isn’t covered. 

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) (formerly EHIC), while potentially useful, does not replace travel insurance and does not cover medical repatriation to the UK. Check what your card covers and where you can use it.  

You should also check foreign travel advice for information about health risks in the countries you plan to visit. Even within Europe, additional risks—such as tick‑borne diseases—may be present.

Evidence of eligibility for import duty and VAT relief (for return to UK) 

When you return to the UK, you may be asked to provide evidence that the boat is eligible for relief from UK VAT and import duty. For a boat that is normally kept in the UK, the relief likely to apply is Returned Goods Relief (RGR). To claim RGR you should be able to show that:  

• Your boat was in free circulation in the UK when it was exported  
• The same person is importing the boat as exported it 
• The boat has not undergone more than running repairs that did not increase its value while outside the UK. 

Members can find out more about VAT status in the RYA’s VAT Guide for Boats. For more information on how to report your arrival in the UK see our page on entry and exit formalities. 

Voyage Log 

Although UK-flagged pleasure craft are not legally required to keep a log of their voyages, it’s still good practice, particularly on longer trips. Foreign officials may occasionally ask to see your log, and older entries can be helpful if you ever need to show where your boat has been in the past, such as when proving eligibility for returned goods relief.