ICC+B or C Category Boating License – Which One Should You Choose?
ICC+B or C category boating license? They may look similar, but offer different options: ICC+B is valid on inland and coastal waters, while the C category lets you sail the world’s oceans. Discover which one is right for you!
ICC+B and C Category Boating Licenses – Two Paths to Safe and Legal Boating.
The ICC+B, officially called the International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft, is a license that allows you to sail both on inland waters and at sea. It’s the document that lets you steer a boat on Lake Balaton or the Danube just as easily as on the sea in Croatia. In other words: if you want to enjoy boating at home and also rent a boat during your seaside holidays, this is the license that covers both.
Countries where the ICC+B license is officially recognized:
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine.
Additional countries where it is accepted under older regulations:
France, Italy, Poland.
Countries where it is generally accepted in practice (e.g., for boat rentals):
Greece, Spain, Portugal.
The C category, on the other hand, plays in a completely different league. It’s a license for seas and oceans, recognized in every country around the world. If you want to sail on the Mediterranean, rent a motorboat in the Caribbean, or even try your hand at the Pacific Ocean, the C category is your key. But there’s a twist: this license does not allow you to legally operate a boat on Hungary’s inland waters. So if someone thinks the “big” international license is enough, they’ll still be left out on Lake Balaton.
A common question is whether it makes sense to obtain both licenses. The answer depends on how you imagine your boating life. If Lake Balaton is the heart of boating for you, but the Croatian coast tempts you every summer, the ICC+B is the obvious choice. If your focus is more on seas and oceans, and you’re sure you won’t be navigating inland waters, then the C category is more than enough. And of course, there are those who don’t want to choose – they get both, ensuring that neither Balaton nor the Caribbean is off-limits.
There’s no right or wrong choice between the two licenses. It really comes down to where your heart leads you. If your plan is to relax on the Danube at weekends and cruise around the Croatian islands in the summer, then the ICC+B is the license for you. But if you’re drawn to the world’s oceans and dream of freedom on bigger waters, the C category will be your passport.
A boating license is more than just a piece of paper. It’s the first step toward being able to set out on the water anytime you want and experience sailing the way you’ve always imagined it. Whether that’s with the ICC+B, the C category, or both, the choice is yours. And we’ll be there to make sure that whichever path you take, you return to shore as a confident captain.
What Can You Learn With Us?
At Sidro Nautika, you’ll find everything you need for safe boating and confident knowledge on the water. Whether it’s a boating course, sailing training, or a motorboat course, we give you solid foundations to build on. If you’re drawn to sea adventures, you can sign up for the Skipper C course, which we hold directly in Rijeka and Split, in a real marine environment. This is the training that allows you to legally sail on any ocean or sea in the world.
If you’re looking for a quicker option that works on both inland and coastal waters, there’s the ICC+B category, which you can obtain with us in just a single exam day. This license is valid not only in Hungary but in many European countries as well, making it perfect for sailing on Lake Balaton or along the Croatian coast.
Our training options include the Yachtmaster A and Yachtmaster B courses, full marine navigation training, as well as hands-on sailing maneuver practice and the opportunity to obtain your motorboat license. With us, boating license prices and motorboat course fees are transparent, so you’ll always know exactly what to expect.
It’s no coincidence that hundreds of positive Google reviews prove just how many people have successfully earned their boating license with us. If you’re serious about boating, you’ll find all the knowledge, experience, and practical support you need here – from passing your Skipper C exam all the way to completing the highest-level Yachtmaster course.
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