· 5 min read · by Salimar Boat Tour
Boat rental without a licence on Lake Como (2026)
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: 105 euros for one hour, 215 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need no licence?
How many people fit on the boat?
What if the weather is bad?
Can I book online?
Keep reading
More on the topic: our rental page with booking, all Lake Como boat tours and the 2026 price list.
