Registration, documents on board and inspections
1The lesson in plain words
A Portuguese boat must be registered before use and carry its livrete. Polícia Marítima officers can check papers, gear and limits.
Registration
Every ER must be registered before it is used. The Capitania (local office of the AMN) records ownership, and the boat receives a livrete, the document that proves registration. The livrete is electronic, with an access code, and a paper copy is optional. An exempt tender supports a main recreational boat and can be carried aboard it. Up to 2.5 m and 4.5 kW, it needs no registration, inspection or fees.
Documents on board
Carry the livrete, the skipper's carta, insurance policy and proof of IUC payment (a circulation tax covering some boats), where applicable. Depending on the boat, add the radio station licence, inspection record and liferaft service record. Documents linked to the electronic livrete need no paper copy: officers check them in the database. Article 61(5) lists a radio-operator certificate for pre-2019 cartas, but article 63(2) lets existing Local, Costa and Alto-Mar holders use their carta instead. These are your documentos de bordo (onboard documents).
Compulsory insurance
Third-party insurance is compulsory for types 1, 2, 3 and 4. For type 5 it is compulsory for boats with an engine and for sailing boats over 7 m. Owners and skippers are jointly liable for damage to third parties, whoever is at fault, unless the injured person alone caused the accident.
Inspections
A vistoria periódica (periodic inspection) is due every 10 years from first registration. It is due every 5 years for boats first registered more than 20 years ago, boats over 24 m and wooden boats over 12 m. CE-marked new boats skip the initial inspection.
What officers check
The Polícia Marítima (AMN's maritime police) checks your livrete, carta, insurance, equipment, type limits, permitted number of people and beach rules. Types 1–3 fly the national flag on port entry/exit and when passing warships or security craft. Fly the national flag whenever you fly another flag. These flag requirements do not apply during regattas (boat races). Sailing beyond the type, without a carta or insurance, or overloaded costs an individual €300–3,000.
2Key data
- Exempt tenders
- ≤ 2.5 m and ≤ 4.5 kW: no registration or inspection
- Insurance required
- Types 1–4; type 5 with engine; type 5 sail over 7 m
- Periodic inspection
- 10 years; 5 if first registered >20 years ago, >24 m or wooden >12 m
- Documents on board
- Livrete, carta, insurance, IUC proof (where applicable)
- Fines (individuals)
- €50–1,500 marking or flag; €300–3,000 serious offences
3Key points
- 1
Register before first use; the electronic livrete proves it.
- 2
On board: livrete, carta, insurance policy and IUC proof, plus radio and inspection papers where needed.
- 3
Insurance: types 1–4, every type 5 with an engine, type 5 sailing boats over 7 m.
- 4
Inspections: 10 years; 5 if over 20 years since first registration, over 24 m, or wooden and over 12 m.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A 6 m type 5 sailing dinghy with an outboard needs no insurance because it is under 7 m.
Right: Any type 5 boat with an engine needs insurance. The 7 m threshold applies only to sailing boats without an engine.
Wrong: Without the paper livrete on board you will be fined.
Right: The livrete is electronic. Showing the access code is enough, and documents linked to it need no paper copy.
5Practice case & exam keys
Polícia Marítima officers stop your 8 m type 4 motorboat, first registered 25 years ago. You show the livrete access code on your phone and your carta. The last periodic inspection was seven years ago. The insurance is valid, and eight people are on board; the builder's plate says seven. What is wrong?
Show the answer
The electronic livrete and the carta are fine. But it is more than 20 years since first registration, so its inspection is due every 5 years: seven years is overdue. Eight people where the capacity is seven is overloading. Both are serious offences with fines of €300–3,000. Before another departure, reduce the number aboard to seven and resolve the overdue inspection with the responsible authority; booking alone does not make it current.
Exam keys
- Register before use. Exempt tender: supports and fits aboard a main ER; ≤2.5 m and ≤4.5 kW.
- Documentos de bordo: livrete, carta, insurance policy, IUC proof (where applicable).
- Insurance: types 1–4; type 5 with engine; type 5 sail > 7 m.
- Vistoria periódica: 10 years; 5 if >20 years since first registration, >24 m, or wooden >12 m.
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