New Rules for Italian Recreational Boats in Croatia from 2027

From 1 January 2027, new regulations will apply in Croatia for unregistered Italian recreational boats. The new rules mainly affect boats up to 10 metres in length that, under Italian law, are not required to be registered.

What is changing?

Until now, boat owners could prove ownership using various documents, such as a bill of sale, an invoice, or the CE certificates for the boat and engine. Depending on the Harbour Master’s Office, different documents were accepted.

From 2027, this will no longer be sufficient.

For unregistered Italian recreational boats, only one official document will be accepted as proof of ownership:

Attestazione per Natanti da Diporto Italiani

This document is also commonly known as “Made in Italy” or “DCI”.

What is the Attestazione?

The Attestazione is an official document introduced by the Italian authorities. It contains all the essential information about both the boat and its owner, including:

• Owner’s name

• Boat length

• Engine power

• A unique identification number (Numero Progressivo)

From 2027, this number will become the boat’s primary identification reference.

The Croatian authorities have confirmed that this document will be accepted as the official proof of ownership.

Which boats are affected?

The new rules apply only to unregistered Italian recreational boats.

If your boat is already registered in Italy or under the flag of another country, nothing changes. In these cases, the existing registration document will continue to be accepted.

Which documents will be required from 2027?

If you wish to cruise in Croatian waters with an unregistered Italian recreational boat or apply for a Croatian navigation permit (vignette), you will need:

• Attestazione per Natanti da Diporto Italiani (Made in Italy / DCI)

• A valid passport or identity card

• A valid boating licence

• Valid liability insurance

What if you already have a Croatian vignette?

If you already have a Croatian vignette, you should also be aware of the new requirements.

When renewing your vignette, the information must match the details shown on the Attestazione. In particular, the Numero Progressivo will become the boat’s primary identification number.

If the details on your current vignette do not match those on the Attestazione, they must be updated before a new vignette can be issued.

Why are these changes being introduced?

Until now, there was no standardised procedure. As a result, different Croatian Harbour Master’s Offices accepted different documents, which often led to confusion, inconsistent requirements and, in some cases, difficulties when applying for a Croatian vignette.

The new regulations introduce a uniform procedure for all Harbour Master’s Offices in Croatia, making the application process simpler, clearer and more transparent for boat owners.

Our recommendation

If you own an unregistered Italian recreational boat and plan to cruise in Croatia during the 2027 season, we recommend applying for the Attestazione per Natanti da Diporto Italiani well in advance.

This will help you avoid delays when applying for your Croatian vignette and ensure that you are fully prepared in the event of an inspection at sea.