Recognition of boating licences across the EU
Panteia is conducting a study to explore the pros and cons of potentially recognising skipper licences/qualifications for recreational boating across Europe. Recreational boating is an important European economic sector, with an estimated annual added value of €45 billion. An estimated 40 million Europeans engage in recreational boating by spending one or more days per year on recreational boating. However, currently there is no harmonisation for the licencing/qualifications for recreational boat operators. This non-harmonisation creates bureaucratic obstacles for EU-citizens who operate recreational boats in different EU-countries (e.g. chartering a boat outside their country of residence or after moving their place of residence to another EU country). The mutual recognition of boating licences abolishes the bureaucratic obstacle, making it possible to only need one boating licence to operate recreational boats throughout the EU.
The main objective of this study, which is commissioned by the European Commission, is to explore the potential for introducing a harmonised boat licence/licencing system in the EU. This would enable EU citizens who have a certificate of competency from one Member State to operate their boats throughout the EU and would allow for continued validity of their licence when they change their country of residence. Doing so would ultimately improve the movement of persons with recreational boats through internal and territorial waterways, thereby promoting safety and economic growth throughout the EU.
If you engage in recreational boating or are involved in the recreational boating industry, we invite you to fill out our questionnaire. This will help us understand the benefits and challenges of such a recognition system. Please click on the link that applies to you:
For more information, please contact Arnaud Burgess, a.burgess@panteia.nl or Ioanna Kourounioti, I.Kourounioti@panteia.nl.
