Sailing course in Hungary
Here you will find all the information in terms of course details, certifications, duration, price, and dates. Feel free to contact us directly!
Sailing course in Hungary
Here you will find all the information in terms of course details, certifications, duration, price, and dates. Feel free to contact us directly!
The tables below can also be scrolled horizontally.
Any skipper of a small craft (up to 20m or 65 feet, but not sailing dinghies) must have a license, either for sailboat or/and motorboat, on the inland waters of Hungary, including lake Balaton. This can be obtained through a state-approved exam. Hungary is part of the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) network, however it is important to stress that ICC licenses for recreational craft issued in various countries may have different limitations in terms of boat categories, usage of regions and so on (limitation of 12 persons aboard is universally set though). ICC and similar licenses may be accepted in Hungary, however it is typical for local authorities to require an additional proof of adequate medical checkup certificate (local driving license is an acceptable substitute). Sailing dinghies up to 7m (unless one is qualified as small craft for various reasons) and so-called windsport equipments (such as windsurf and beach catamarans) do not need license.
You can take the required official theoretical and practical exams in Hungary, for inland (and coastal, if needed) waters, IF you have acquired the necessary knowledge of the language (interestingly, boating exams are not available in German or English in Hungary). If that is not case, there is still nothing to worry about!
We have developed a training scheme to work it around, tailored exactly for YOU, an English-speaking expat, living or traveling in Hungary. In short: you can take the exam with an interpreter in Croatia, and complete the practical part at Balatonszemes, Lake Balaton, Hungary, at our training centre. The practical part is not a prerequisite for the theory-focused Croatian exam, and there are other administrative alleviations too. In contrast to the Hungarian system, there is no separate practical exam either.
This is a very flexible scheme. Although the practical training is indispensable if you really want to learn sailing, it can be scheduled either before or after the exam. Preparing for the exam takes around 2 weeks, and most parts can be done at home. The exam take a one-day journey to Croatia and back. The practical sailing training takes 3 days at Balaton, and it can be scheduled to any of our given training dates.
The license issued in Croatia is officially valid in Hungary and any other ICC countries, and further countries which accept ICCs. It covers both inland and coastal waters with some limitations. Another bonus of this scheme is that you are automatically issued a Croatian „B” coastal national license, so you are issued two licenses by a one-off all-in-one exam. You are then free to take to the water on both inland and coastal waters.
If you want a step further, and want to obtain a limitless sea license that is worldwide accepted, you can take the Croatian „C” course and exam in Croatia. Also, you can take the Croatian „B” exam alone, if you have no interest or already have an inland license. Let us know if we can assist you with any of these. However if you are novice to sailing, you will probably need the inland license first.
A prerequisite for any sailing course is the minimum of 18 years of age and basic but stable swimming skills.
If you need no license, and you want some practical training, or just want to have a taste of it, we are happy to schedule a date for you.
Boating licenses
| Type of licenses | Exams and subjects | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Hungarian ICC | Theory: 1. Inland rules, 2. Sailboat 3. Motorboat 4. Coastal. Practice: 1. sailboat 2. Motorboat. Exams/limitations optional. | Sailboat and/or motorboat inland< 20m, coastal < 24m, 3 Nm, V̶h̶f̶, ICC countries |
| Croatian “ICC"+"B” | Theory (one set of exam for both inland and coastal water, sailboat and motorboat). Practice: motorboat driving | ICC: Sailboat and/or motorboat inland < 20m, coastal <12m, 12 Nm, V̶h̶f̶, ICC countries B: Sailboat and motorboat coastal ≤ 30BT, Vhf, Cro., Slov., Mont. |
| Croatian “B" | Theory (one set of exam for coastal waters, sailboat and motorboat) | Sailboat and motorboat coastal ≤ 30BT, Vhf, Cro., Slov., Mont. |
| Croatian “C" | Theory (one set of exam for offshore waters, sailboat and motorboat). Practice: basics of motorboating | B: Sailboat and motorboat coastal ≤ 30BT, Vhf, wwide |
Inland and coastal sailing course
Select course
No previous boating experience needed. Our recommended course is Croatian "ICC+B", with inland sailing practical training on lake Balaton.
Exam
Theory exam in Croatia (with very limited motorboat driving practical part, suitable for complete novices)
Course fees and schedule
Croatian ICC+B inland and coastal exam dates
9 February 2026 (Monday)
9 March 2026 (Monday)
7 April 2026 (Tuesday)
4 May 2026 (Monday)
1 June 2026 (Monday)
6 July 2026 (Monday)
3 August 2026 (Monday)
9 September 2026 (Wednesday)
5 October 2026 (Monday)
2 November 2026 (Monday)
7 December 2026 (Monday)
(Prospective dates, changes may occur)
Fees
Croatian ICC+B
An English-speaking theory course and the exam costs 700 EUR + 50.000 HUF
The auxiliary 3-day sailboat practical training in English on lake Balaton costs 180.000 HUF
Sailing training schedule
APRIL
2026. április 2-5. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
2026. április 9-12. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
MAY
2026. április 30 – május 3. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
2026. május 7 – 10. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
JUNE
2026. június 4-7. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
2026. június 11-14. (csütörtök-vasárnap)
Courses and Certificates
Sailing Training
Let's go sailing! If you are beginner, this is your first step towards a sailor's craftsmanship. Training is also possible for the more experienced.
Croatian "ICC+B"
One course, two licenses: International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft, and a Boat Skipper Category "B"
Boat Skipper "B"
Boat Skipper Category "B" up to 12 NM off shore, 30 GT and 12 crew, valid in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro.
Boat Skipper "C"
Boat Skipper Category "C", no limitation off shore, up to 30 GT and 12 crew, valid worldwide.
