Minimum third party limits abroad: what do European countries require?

At home in the UK or Ireland, third party insurance for a pleasure boat is usually something the marina or the navigation authority asks for rather than a general legal requirement. Cross into Mediterranean or Adriatic waters and that changes. Many countries require visiting boats to carry liability cover with a minimum limit set in law, and proof has to be on board, ideally the international certificate of insurance, which a harbour office can read without translating anything. Without it there may be a fine, and some marinas will not let the boat tie up at all.

The figures vary widely. According to the ADAC, the German motoring club, Italy has required at least 6,450,000 euro for injury to people and 1,300,000 euro for damage to property per incident since 11 June 2022. Spain asks for around 120,202 euro per injured person, at most 240,405 euro per incident, plus 96,162 euro for damage to property. According to the ADAC and the Austrian ÖAMTC, Croatia requires at least 460,000 euro for boats with more than 15 kW, Slovenia 210,000 euro and Switzerland 2 million Swiss francs, and the ADAC gives 800,000 euro for Montenegro. In France third party cover for pleasure craft is generally voluntary, though harbours may still ask for proof.

A minimum limit is a floor, not advice. A swimmer left with lifelong injuries can cost millions, and whatever the policy does not pay falls on the owner personally, under the law and at the costs of the country where it happened. Before leaving, check two things in your own policy: whether the third party limit meets the requirement of every country on the route, and whether it would carry a serious claim. Ask for the international certificate at the same time, and check the current figures with the national authority, a motoring club or the RYA guidance on going abroad before departure, because they change.

Worth remembering

The law sets what lets you sail, not what is enough when something goes wrong.