The PER (Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo) is the most popular recreational boating licence in Spain. It lets you operate motor or motor-sailing vessels of up to 15 metres in length and navigate up to 12 nautical miles from the coast, by day and by night. It includes inter-island navigation in the Balearic and Canary archipelagos and authorises you to operate jet skis. There is no power limit (it must suit the vessel). To operate sailing vessels you must complete the sailing practicals. With complementary practicals, the attributions extend to 24 metres in length and to navigation between the mainland and the Balearic Islands.

Regulated by Royal Decree 875/2014.

PNB — Patrón de Navegación Básica

Up to 8 m length Up to 5 miles from a port or shelter

The PNB (Patrón de Navegación Básica) is a more limited licence than the PER. It lets you operate recreational motor vessels of up to 8 metres in length, provided they stay within 5 nautical miles, in any direction, of a port, marina or place of shelter. It also authorises you to operate jet skis, and sailing vessels once you complete the corresponding practicals. PNB holders can upgrade to the PER by taking only the complementary units.

Regulated by Royal Decree 875/2014.

What is the exam like?

Multiple choice, with eliminating minimums in the key blocks. Our mock exams apply exactly the same rules.

PER test

45multiple-choice questions

90minutes

32correct answers to pass

3eliminating blocks

The PNB: 27 questions · 17 to pass · 45 minutes

Eliminating blocks

In the PER, Buoyage, COLREGs and Chart work each require their own minimum: you can fail by missing it even if your overall score is enough. Our tests flag them and score them just like the real exam.

Requirements

What you need in order to sit the exam.

Be 18 years old (or 16 with parental or guardian consent).
Pass a nautical medical examination before the exam.
Complete the safety and navigation practicals (and radio or sailing where applicable).
Pass the official theory exam.

The official exam and title-issue fees are updated periodically. Check the current amount with the competent authority (DGMM or your autonomous community). transportes.gob.es ↗

The syllabus at a glance

The PNB covers units UT1–UT6. The PER adds UT7–UT11.

PNB · UT1–UT6

UT1 — Nautical nomenclatureUT2 — Mooring and anchoringUT3 — Safety at seaUT4 — LegislationUT5 — Buoyage (balizamiento)UT6 — COLREGs (RIPA)

PER complementary · UT7–UT11

UT7 — Manoeuvring and navigationUT8 — Emergencies at seaUT9 — MeteorologyUT10 — Navigation theoryUT11 — Chart work

Study guides per unit are in preparation. →

Frequently asked questions

What can I operate with the PER?

Motor or motor-sailing vessels of up to 15 m in length, up to 12 miles from the coast, by day and by night, as well as jet skis. Sailing requires the sailing practicals.

And with the PNB?

Motor vessels of up to 8 m, up to 5 miles from a port, marina or place of shelter, and jet skis. Sailing requires the corresponding practicals.

What are the requirements for the PER or PNB?

Be 18 (or 16 with parental/guardian consent), pass a medical examination, complete the practicals and pass the theory exam.

What is the PER exam like?

45 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes; you pass with 32 correct answers. There are also eliminating minimums in Buoyage, COLREGs and Chart work.

What is the PNB exam like?

27 questions; you pass with 17 correct answers.

I have the PNB — how do I move up to the PER?

By taking only the complementary units (UT7–UT11) and their exam.

Can anyone sit the exam?

Yes; the exam is open to anyone and is taken in Spanish.

Do I need a licence for a jet ski?

Yes: to operate jet skis you need at least the PNB (or PER, Patrón de Yate or Capitán de Yate).

How much does it cost?

The official fees vary and are updated periodically; check the current amount with the competent authority.

Sources

The information on this page is based on official sources: