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Yacht Insurance FAQ

Is Boat Insurance Mandatory in Cyprus, Greece and Malta?

Paul BendzikPaul Bendzik·10 July 2026·5 min read
Is boat insurance mandatory in Cyprus, Greece and Malta - sailing yachts moored at a calm Mediterranean marina at golden hour
Quick Answer
Direct Answer

It depends on the country. In Cyprus, boat insurance is not compulsory under national law, but marinas in Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa require proof of third-party liability cover before they give you a berth. In Greece, third-party liability is compulsory for every pleasure boat under 300 GT under Law 4926/2022. In Malta, any craft with an engine over 9.9 HP must carry it. DigiCare arranges yacht insurance that satisfies all three.

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Cyprus

Not required by law

But marinas demand third-party proof to berth

300 GT

Greece threshold

All pleasure boats under 300 GT need TPL (Law 4926/2022)

9.9 HP

Malta threshold

Engines above 9.9 HP must carry third-party cover

€235,000

Malta minimum TPL

Minimum third-party limit per occurrence

Boat insurance rules change the moment you cross a maritime border. A policy that is optional in one country can be a legal requirement in the next, and marina operators add their own conditions on top of national law. If you keep a boat in Cyprus and cruise to Greece or Malta in summer, you need cover that satisfies the strictest rule on your route.

This page sets out the position in all three countries, plus what marinas actually ask for. For a wider look at the cost of owning a boat here, see our guide to buying a boat in Cyprus.

Is Boat Insurance Mandatory in Cyprus?

No. Cyprus has no national law that forces a private boat owner to buy insurance. In practice you still need it: every licensed marina in Cyprus, including Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa, requires written proof of third-party liability cover as a condition of your berthing licence. Without it, you cannot keep a boat in the water legally.

Cyprus regulates vessel registration and skipper licences but leaves insurance to the marina and the owner. A specialist yacht insurance policy closes the gap and gives you the certificate the marina wants to see.

The requirement itself comes from the berthing contract. The standard Limassol Marina berthing terms oblige every owner to hold cover against third-party claims, wreck removal and pollution for the whole time the boat is in the marina. Larnaca Marina and Ayia Napa Marina apply the same condition.

Why this matters:
A single collision in a crowded marina can damage several boats at once. Third-party liability is the cover that pays those other owners, which is exactly why marinas insist on it even though the Cyprus government does not.

Is Boat Insurance Mandatory in Greece?

Yes. Greek Law 4926/2022 makes third-party liability insurance compulsory for every pleasure boat and tourist vessel under 300 gross tonnes, whatever its flag. A Cyprus-registered boat cruising Greek waters must comply. You have to carry the insurance certificate on board, in Greek or English, and show it to the Port Authority on request.

The law sets minimum liability limits that your policy must meet. For bodily injury or death the cover is €150,000 per person, €700,000 per incident and €2,100,000 in aggregate for the insurance period. For property damage it is €150,000 per event and €450,000 in aggregate. Sea-water pollution carries the same €150,000 and €450,000 figures.

Enforcement happens at the harbour. The Royal Yachting Association guidance for Greece confirms that you must keep a certificate on board showing the required level of cover, and the Port Authority can check it before you sail.

Why this matters:
If you insure your boat in Cyprus and plan to sail to the Greek islands, tell your broker before you leave. The policy has to state the Greek statutory limits, or the certificate may not satisfy a Port Authority check.

Is Boat Insurance Mandatory in Malta?

Yes, for anything with a real engine. Under Maltese law, any mechanically driven small ship whose engine exceeds 9.9 HP must carry third-party liability insurance, with a minimum limit of €235,000 for each occurrence. The rule applies whether the boat is registered in Malta or abroad, so a visiting Cyprus-flagged vessel is covered by it too.

Transport Malta enforces the requirement through the Small Ships Register. When you register a boat, or re-register or import one, you must produce a valid third-party liability certificate before the registration is issued, and keep it current each year.

You can read the registration requirements, including the insurance certificate, on the Transport Malta small ships pages. Tenders and dinghies with engines of 9.9 HP or less fall outside the rule, though marina and pollution risks still make cover sensible.

Why this matters:
Malta uses horsepower, not length, as the trigger. A short but powerful RIB can cross the 9.9 HP line easily, so check the engine rating rather than the size of the hull before you assume you are exempt.

Bottom Line

Boat insurance is legally compulsory in Greece and Malta and, while not required by Cyprus national law, is demanded by every Cyprus marina before you can berth. Third-party liability is the common thread: it is the minimum each country and marina wants to see.

The simplest approach is one policy that meets the strictest rule on your route. Get a quote and tell your broker where you plan to sail.

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More Yacht Insurance FAQ

Do you need insurance to charter a yacht in Greece?

The charter company insures the yacht and carries third-party liability. You are liable only up to the security deposit (€1,000-5,000), which optional deposit insurance can protect.

Read the full answer

How much does yacht insurance cost in Cyprus, Greece and Malta?

From about €25 a year for third-party cover on a small motorboat to 1-3% of hull value for full cover. A €100,000 yacht typically costs €1,000 to €3,000 a year.

Read the full answer

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