Loopholes
One of the most important regulations in the yacht charter industry — yet often the least understood by new charter clients — is the guest limit. Most luxury yachts are capped at 12 guests, even when they seem large enough to hold many more. This rule is tied directly to international safety regulations and has a big impact on how charters are booked, how events are organised, and what’s allowed both at sea and while moored.
Below is a clear explanation of why the 12-guest rule exists, when exceptions apply, and how different regions — especially the Mediterranean and Croatia — handle guest limits.
Why Yachts Are Limited to 12 Guests
A yacht that carries more than 12 passengers is treated as a passenger ship, which requires commercial ship standards: advanced firefighting systems, extra bulkheads, more crew, medical facilities, stricter inspections, and significantly higher operating costs.
Most private yachts are not built to this classification.
This means:
Regardless of size, most yachts can legally carry only 12 guests while underway.
A 30-metre yacht and a 100-metre yacht are treated the same in this regard unless they’re certified differently.
This rule keeps guests safe and ensures crews can manage emergencies effectively without needing the infrastructure of a commercial vessel.
The Exceptions: Yachts Licensed for More Than 12 Guests
There are only a handful of charter yachts worldwide that legally carry more than 12 guests. These are usually specifically designed and built to meet passenger-ship standards.
In the Mediterranean
A very small number of yachts — often 70m to 140m+ — hold a Passenger Ship License (PSL), allowing up to 36 guests. These yachts are engineered with extra safety zones, enhanced structural divisions, and crew levels that meet commercial requirements.
These 12+ guest yachts are rare, high-demand, and usually significantly more expensive due to the additional operational obligations.
In Croatia
Croatia is one of the few charter destinations in Europe where you find many yachts legally certified to carry 20, 24, 30, or even 36 guests.
These are typically:
Gulets
Small cruise ships
Large, purpose-built steel-hull superyachts designed for high guest capacity
Croatian regulations differ from standard SOLAS rules, allowing these vessels to operate commercially with higher guest counts, provided they follow local safety laws.
Day Charters: When You Can Have More Than 12 Guests
The 12-guest limit applies while a yacht is underway.
But for day charters — especially on commercially registered day boats — guest limits are different.
Many day-charter vessels are classified under local commercial rules, not SOLAS. This allows them to carry more than 20 guests. The key difference is the vessel category and its local licensing, not its size.
Having More Than 12 Guests at the Dock or at Anchor
This is where things get nuanced. Many clients assume that if the yacht is not moving, they can bring more people onboard. Legally, this is possible — but only with the proper permissions.
Dispensation
A captain or yacht manager can request a dispensation from the flag state of the yacht to allow more than 12 guests while the yacht is stationary — whether at the dock or at anchor.
Dispensation approvals depend on:
weather
port/harbour rules
safety access
fire safety
overall guest numbers
Dispensations are not guaranteed, vary by country, and must be pre-approved.
At the Dock vs. At Anchor
Dockside events are usually easier to approve because shore infrastructure is available.
At anchor events are more difficult because the yacht must maintain additional safety protocols.
The Loopholes: VAT and Transport Contracts in the South of France
The South of France has unique charter regulations that occasionally create interesting “exceptions” that clients hear about.
Reduced VAT
Some charters qualify for:
10% VAT instead of 20%
or even 0% VAT in special scenarios
This often depends on:
specific transport contracts
charter itineraries that qualify as “international voyages”
approved fuel exemptions
time spent outside French territorial waters
These VAT structures do not change the 12-guest rule, but they are part of the same regulatory landscape that brokers must navigate.
Because these regulations are complex, a broker ensures all documents, itineraries, and contracts align with legal guidelines — avoiding fines or invalid VAT calculations.
Why These Rules Matter
For a client, guest limits may feel like a frustration or an arbitrary restriction.
In reality, they protect you legally, ensure the yacht operates safely, and avoid situations where a charter is stopped by authorities.
A broker’s job is to:
identify yachts that can legally take more than 12
apply for dispensations when possible
navigate regional rules like Croatia’s high-capacity vessels
ensure VAT and documentation are correct
prevent illegal charters or fines
