BOE-A-2026-510 ·9 January 2026 ·Resolution Low impact
Tax

Nautical qualification candidates: 2026 theoretical exam schedule

The Directorate General of the Merchant Marine has announced the 2026 ordinary theoretical examinations for obtaining recreational nautical qualifications (Art. 1). The call includes exams for Basic Navigation Skipper, Recreational Craft Skipper, Yacht Skipper, and Yacht Captain. To qualify for the Yacht Skipper and Yacht Captain titles, candidates must already hold the immediately preceding qualification (Art. 3).

In 3 key points

  1. For Basic Navigation Skipper, a minimum of 17 correct answers out of 27 is required, with error limits in Buoyage (max. 2) and Regulations (max. 5) (Annex III.A.2). (Anexo III.A.2)
  2. Individuals under 16 cannot obtain nautical qualifications, while those aged between 16 and 18 require parental or guardian consent for the Basic Navigation Skipper title (Art. 2). (art. 2)
  3. Proof of lower-level qualifications passed in autonomous communities must be submitted via email before the end of the 10-working-day rectification period (Art. 3). (art. 3)

How it affects those involved

Individuals seeking nautical qualifications must adhere to registration deadlines and pay the fee using form 790, code 077 (Art. 4). Minors under 18 may only obtain the Basic Navigation Skipper title if they are at least 16 years old and provide written consent from their guardians (Art. 2). Those who have passed the theoretical exam for a lower-level qualification in an autonomous community must provide proof within 10 working days following the publication of provisional lists (Art. 3).

Lifecycle

2026-01-09PublishedPublished in the BOE
Official text Based on BOE data (boe.es). Information, not advice.
PDF on boe.es

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