31 August 2026 · 5 min read · by Salimar Boat Tour

Boat rental without a licence on Lake Como (2026)

In short

In Italy you can drive boats up to 40 hp without any licence — from age 18, after a short briefing. At Salimar in Como the licence-free boat costs 126 euros per hour or 225 euros for two hours, for up to 5-6 people per boat. Book online, departure from the Como lakefront.

Yes, you can rent a boat on Lake Como without a licence — and it is one of the best ways to enjoy the lake at your own pace. Italian law allows anyone to drive boats up to 40 horsepower with no boating licence. Here is everything you need to know: rules, prices, where you can cruise and how the handover works.

The rules: who can drive?

Minimum age 18 for the driver (guests of any age welcome)
No licence needed: engines up to 40 hp are licence-free in Italy
Short briefing before departure: controls, lake rules, map of the cruising area
Life jackets provided for everyone
No alcohol at the helm — same as driving a car

Prices 2026

At Salimar in Como: 126 euros for one hour, 225 euros for two hours — per boat, not per person, for up to 5-6 guests. Fuel and briefing included. From four people up, the rental often costs less per head than a guided tour.

Trimarchi boat rental without licence · Bella Vita Como

8-seat Trimarchi with a 40 HP engine, no licence required: you drive on the first basin of Lake Como, with sunshade and safety equipment on board. Rates: €320 for 2 hours, €450 for 3 hours, €550 for 4 hours, €675 for 5 hours.

from €320 per boat

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Where can you cruise?

The cruising area is the first basin in front of Como: the villas of Cernobbio, Villa d'Este, Moltrasio, Torno and Villa Geno — the most famous scenery of the lake, perfect for one or two hours. At the briefing you get a map with the limits and the spots where you can stop for a swim.

Rental or guided tour?

With the rental you are your own captain: your pace, your route, swim stops wherever you like. On the guided tour the skipper tells the stories of the villas and you don't have to think about anything — prosecco aperitif included. Rule of thumb: to get to know the lake, take the tour; to enjoy it, take the rental.