Do you dream of enjoying the sea at the helm of your own boat but don’t know where to start? The Navigation Licence, popularly known in Spain as the “titulín”, is the gateway to the nautical world. It is the simplest and quickest title to obtain, ideal for those who want to get started without facing complex theoretical exams or lengthy processes.
In this complete guide we explain what the Navigation Licence is, what it allows you to do, what its limitations are, how to obtain it and, above all, why in 2026 it has become more important than ever due to recent regulatory changes.
What is the Navigation Licence?
The Navigation Licence is the basic nautical qualification regulated by Royal Decree 875/2014, which replaced the old federation “Titulín”. It is an official permit that enables the skipper of small recreational craft to navigate within specific distance and time limits.
Its great advantage over other qualifications such as the PER (Recreational Craft Skipper) is that it does not require passing any official theoretical exam: it is obtained solely by completing an approved theoretical and practical course.
What does the Navigation Licence allow you to do?
With the Navigation Licence you will be able to:
- Skipper recreational craft of up to 6 metres in length, both motor and sail.
- Ride jet skis with no power limit, always within the zones authorised by each regional authority.
- Navigate up to 2 nautical miles from the coast (about 3.7 km), always departing from a port, marina or sheltered location.
- Navigate only during the day, in daylight hours.
- Rent motor recreational craft from nautical charter companies (a requirement that will be mandatory from 1 October 2026, as we will see below).
- Carry out activities such as coastal trips, recreational fishing, swimming in coves, snorkelling from the boat or family outings.
It is a perfect qualification both for occasional use and for those who want to start sailing regularly without committing to more extensive training.
What does it NOT allow you to do?
It is essential to know the limitations so as not to commit any infringements:
- You cannot navigate at night. The licence only authorises daytime navigation.
- You cannot go more than 2 miles from the coast. For greater distances you will need the PNB (up to 5 miles) or the PER (up to 12 miles).
- You cannot skipper vessels over 6 metres in length.
- It does not authorise crossings between islands or routes that involve moving beyond the permitted distance from the coast.
- It is not valid for professional or commercial use. It is exclusively for recreational purposes.
- It does not allow navigation in waters with navigational hazards without taking the appropriate precautions.
Requirements to obtain the Navigation Licence
The requirements are straightforward and accessible:
- Minimum age: 18 years. Those aged 16 and 17 may obtain it with parental or legal guardian consent, presenting a photocopy of the representative’s ID.
- Medical psychophysical examination carried out at an authorised centre (the same ones where driving licences are renewed).
- Completion of the approved 6-hour theoretical and practical course: 2 hours of theory and 4 hours of on-the-water practice.
- Required documentation: valid ID or equivalent document, medical certificate, 2 passport-sized photographs (depending on the school), proof of payment of the course and fees.
There is no exam. You simply need to attend and complete the 6 hours of training.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
One of the great advantages of the licence is its speed and affordable price:
- Duration: it can be obtained in a single day (morning or afternoon).
- Approximate price: between €90 and €130 depending on the nautical school and location, including theory, practice and issue of the title. The medical examination is paid separately (approximately €30 to €50).
- Conversion of the old federation Titulín: if yours had expired, you normally only need 4 hours of practice and around €80 to convert it to the new Navigation Licence.
Once obtained, the Navigation Licence does not expire, although you must renew the medical examination when required by the authorities.
2026 Update: the Licence is no longer optional for rentals
Here comes the most important change in recent years. Until now there was a very popular exception: motor boats of up to 5 metres in length and 15 HP could be operated without any qualification, allowing thousands of people to rent small dinghies in summer with nothing more than their ID.
Royal Decree 1188/2025, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 30 December 2025, changes this situation: from 1 October 2026, you will not be able to rent any motor boat without holding at least the Navigation Licence.
What does this mean in practice?
- Nautical charter companies are required to demand a qualification from that date onwards.
- If a company rents you a boat without asking for your licence after 1 October 2026, they will be breaching the regulations.
- Kayaks, paddleboards and non-motorised craft are not affected by this rule.
Conclusion: if you are planning to rent a dinghy or a jet ski next summer, getting the Navigation Licence is no longer an option — it is a requirement.
Is the Navigation Licence right for you?
It is the ideal option if:
- You want to get into boating without investing much time or money.
- You only need to rent craft occasionally on holiday.
- You have (or want to buy) a vessel of less than 6 metres.
- You love jet skis and want to ride them legally.
- You are looking for a first step before moving on to higher qualifications such as the PNB or the PER.
If, on the other hand, you want to navigate at night, make inter-island crossings or skipper larger vessels, you should consider going straight for the PER, which, with a broader course and an official exam, opens up many more possibilities.
In summary
The Navigation Licence is the quickest, most affordable and most accessible way to start enjoying the sea legally in Spain. In just 6 hours and without an exam you can obtain a title that qualifies you to handle small boats and jet skis, rent dinghies in any tourist port and experience the Mediterranean from a completely new perspective.
With the regulatory changes coming into force in October 2026, this title is becoming even more relevant: it will be the bare minimum required to continue renting boats in Spain.
What are you waiting for to take the plunge into the sea? At Torrevela we advise you on everything you need to know to start your nautical adventure on the right foot. Contact us and we will help you plan your next outing from Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca.
Did you find this article useful? Share it with anyone who is thinking about getting their first nautical qualification and leave us your questions in the comments.