How to start a SUP, kayak, jet ski or boat rental in Latvia
Thinking of renting out SUPs, kayaks, jet skis or boats in Latvia? Here is what we found — 24 points, each linked to the text it comes from and checked on 17 October 2026 — plus what we could not confirm yet and who decides (5 official bodies).
Registering the business
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Register a company (e.g. SIA) or individual merchant with the Register of Enterprises (Uzņēmumu reģistrs), which runs the company registration portal.
Original wording
“Get access to the company registration portal or find basic information about the company establishment process.”
Permits to rent out watercraft
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For larger recreational craft in the Latvian Ship Register (Jūras administrācija), renting out counts as commercial use; such craft need a seaworthiness certificate (kuģošanas spējas apliecība) from the inspection. These rules (MK 201) cover only Ship-Register craft, not CSDD-registered jet skis/motorboats.
Original wording
“komercdarbībai izmantojams atpūtas kuģis – atpūtas kuģis, kuru paredzēts izmantot ienākumu gūšanai, piemēram, pasažieru vai kravu pārvadāšanai, iznomāšanai, kuģu vadītāju apmācībai;”
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MK 201 scope: recreational craft registered or to be registered in the Latvian Ship Register.
Original wording
“Noteikumi nosaka drošības prasības Latvijas Kuģu reģistrā reģistrētiem un reģistrējamiem atpūtas kuģiem.”
Using the beach, shore or quay
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The owner or holder of an inland water body (state, municipality, or a person who owns or leases it) marks areas where certain craft are banned and publishes where navigation and bathing areas are set. Permits for commercial use of a beach were not found.
Original wording
“nodrošina brīdinājuma zīmju izvietošanu akvatorijās, kurās aizliegts izmantot attiecīgu veidu kuģošanas līdzekļus;”
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Definition of the inland water owner/holder includes a person who leases the water area.
Original wording
“iekšējo ūdeņu īpašnieks vai valdītājs – valsts vai pašvaldība, kā arī juridiska vai fiziska persona, kurai pieder vai kuras valdījumā atrodas iekšējo ūdeņu akvatorija vai kura to nomā;”
Your duties as an operator
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The skipper must not use a craft that is not in working order or lacks the required equipment and life-saving gear (relevant to what a rental hands over).
Original wording
“izmantot kuģošanas līdzekli, kas nav tehniskā kārtībā vai nav apgādāts ar normatīvajos aktos noteikto aprīkojumu un glābšanas līdzekļiem;”
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Since 1 Jan 2023 the skipper must ensure children under 12 wear a correctly sized life jacket while on board.
Original wording
“nodrošināt, lai personas, kas jaunākas par 12 gadiem, pārvadāšanas laikā būtu ietērptas atbilstoša izmēra glābšanas vestē;”
Safety equipment
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Statutory on-board equipment by craft type is in the VesselSOS Kit Finder (https://vesselsos.com/kit-finder/), from MK No 92 (Annex 1), MK No 1171 and MK No 201. CSDD-registered craft and rowing boats are equipped per MK 92 Annex 1.
Original wording
“CSDD reģistrētos kuģošanas līdzekļus, kā arī airu laivas, kas nav reģistrētas CSDD, aprīko atbilstoši šo noteikumu 1. pielikumam .”
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Jet ski riders, windsurfers and water-skiers must wear a life jacket (inland and at sea).
Original wording
“Personai, pārvietojoties ar ūdensmotociklu, burājot ar vējdēli, nodarbojoties ar ūdens slēpošanu vai līdzīgiem ūdens sporta veidiem, jābūt ietērptai glābšanas vestē.”
Customer age and licence rules
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Recreational skipper licence (CSDD) needed for sail and motorised recreational craft up to 12 m on inland waters and the coastal sea; jet skis count as motorised recreational craft.
Original wording
“Atpūtas kuģu vadītāja apliecība ir dokuments, kas nepieciešams, lai vadītu buru un motorizētos atpūtas kuģus, kuru garums nepārsniedz 12 metrus, Latvijas iekšējos ūdeņos un 3000 m joslā no krasta līnijas”
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Jet skis are motorised recreational craft under the licence rules.
Original wording
“motorizēts atpūtas kuģis – atpūtas kuģis, kas paredzēts kuģošanai, izmantojot mehānisko dzinēju (motorjahta, kuteris, motorlaiva, ūdensmotocikls).”
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No licence needed for craft up to 2.5 m, rowing boats, pedal boats, surf boards and windsurf boards.
Original wording
“Šie noteikumi neattiecas uz atpūtas kuģu vadītājiem, ja atpūtas kuģa garums nepārsniedz 2,5 metrus, kā arī uz airu laivu, ūdens velosipēdu, sērfošanas dēļu, vējdēļu un sportam izgatavotu buru atpūtas kuģu vadītājiem”
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Licence ages: from 16 — jet skis and motorboats; from 18 — also cabin boats (kuteri) and motor yachts.
Original wording
“personām, kuras sasniegušas 16 gadu vecumu, – ūdensmotociklus un motorlaivas;”
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Rowing boats: minimum age 14 to row without an adult present.
Original wording
“Airu laivu bez pilngadīgas personas klātbūtnes vadīt atļauts personai, kas sasniegusi 14 gadu vecumu.”
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Driving without a valid licence, where one is required, is prohibited.
Original wording
“vadīt kuģošanas līdzekli bez derīga vadītāja kvalifikāciju apliecinoša dokumenta;”
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Near public bathing places, speed must be minimal and swimmers must not be endangered; jet ski bans/permissions are shown by signs.
Original wording
“pārsniegt minimālo ātrumu publisko peldvietu tuvumā un apdraudēt peldētājus;”
Insurance
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MK 1171 sets insurance requirements only for large ships (oil/bunker pollution, 300+ GT). No compulsory insurance for small rental craft was found.
Original wording
“par kuģa apdrošināšanu pret jūras prasībām (ja kuģa bruto tilpība ir 300 vai lielāka).”
Registering and marking the craft
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CSDD registers jet skis, motorboats (engine over 3.7 kW and length over 2.5 m), cabin boats over 2.5 m, rowing boats and special craft.
Original wording
“ūdensmotociklus (kuģošanas līdzeklis ar motoru, kas paredzēts braukšanai, vadītājam vai vadītājam un vienam vai vairākiem pasažieriem sēžot vai stāvot uz tā);”
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Rowing boats are registered voluntarily, unless the municipality/water owner requires it on its waters.
Original wording
“Airu laivas reģistrē brīvprātīgi, izņemot gadījumus, ja pašvaldība vai cits iekšējo ūdeņu īpašnieks tam piederošajos iekšējos ūdeņos ir paredzējis airu laivu reģistrēšanu šajos noteikumos noteiktajā kārtībā.”
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Register within five working days of purchase or import.
Original wording
“Mazizmēra kuģošanas līdzekļa īpašnieks (valdītājs) ūdens satiksmē iesaistīto mazizmēra kuģošanas līdzekli reģistrē Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcijā piecu darbdienu laikā pēc tā iegādes vai ievešanas no ārvalsts.”
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Using an unregistered craft is prohibited unless law exempts it.
Original wording
“Nereģistrēta kuģošanas līdzekļa izmantošana ūdens satiksmē neatkarīgi no tā, kuras valsts valstiskās piederības pazīmes tas izmanto, ir aizliegta”
Inland waters and the sea
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MK 92 covers inland waters (rivers, lakes) and port areas; MK 1171 covers the sea.
Original wording
“Noteikumi attiecas uz Latvijas iekšējiem ūdeņiem no jūras krasta līnijas uz sauszemes pusi (piemēram, upes, ezeri) un ostu akvatorijām”
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In the 3,000 m coastal strip, inland-water equipment rules (MK 92) apply; beyond it MK 1171 Annex 6.
Original wording
“kuģošanai 3000 metru platā joslā no krasta līnijas uz jūras pusi Rīgas līča un Baltijas jūras Latvijas Republikas piekrastes daļā – atbilstoši normatīvajiem aktiem par kuģošanas līdzekļu satiksmi iekšējos ūdeņos;”
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At sea: navigating in or near bathing areas and endangering swimmers is prohibited.
Original wording
“kuģot peldvietās un to tuvumā un apdraudēt peldētāju drošību;”
Season
Nothing confirmed from an official text yet — see “Not confirmed yet” below.
Not confirmed yet
What the research could not confirm from an official text. Ask before you rely on it.
- Not found
Specific licence/notification for renting CSDD-registered craft (jet skis, motorboats, kayaks, SUP) — not found.
Check with CSDD — Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija (small craft register, skipper licences)
- Not found
Municipal permits/binding regulations (saistošie noteikumi) for commercial activity on beaches — not found (vary per municipality).
- Not found
Briefing duties for rental operators — not found.
- Not verified
Whether a power threshold exempts small motorboats from the licence (rowing boats with motor ≤3.7 kW are "airu laivas" in the registration rules) — cross-act reading not confirmed.
- Not found
Compulsory or customary insurance for small rental craft — not found.
- Open question
Season: no official dates.
- Not found
A specific licence for renting small craft registered with CSDD.
Check with CSDD — Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija (small craft register, skipper licences)
- Not found
Specific briefing duties for rental operators.
Official bodies
Who decides. Ask them before you open — rules and fees can change every season.
- CSDD — Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija (small craft register, skipper licences)csdd.lv ↗
- Latvijas Jūras administrācija (Maritime Administration, Ship Register)lja.lv ↗
- Uzņēmumu reģistrs (Register of Enterprises)ur.gov.lv ↗
- Valsts vides dienests (State Environmental Service — supervision)vvd.gov.lv ↗
- Likumi.lv (law texts)likumi.lv ↗
Quick answers
Do I need a permit to rent out SUPs, kayaks, jet skis or boats in Latvia?
For larger recreational craft in the Latvian Ship Register (Jūras administrācija), renting out counts as commercial use; such craft need a seaworthiness certificate (kuģošanas spējas apliecība) from the inspection. These rules (MK 201) cover only Ship-Register craft, not CSDD-registered jet skis/motorboats. Source: likumi.lv, checked 17 October 2026.
Are there special rules for renting out jet skis in Latvia?
Jet skis are motorised recreational craft under the licence rules. Source: likumi.lv, checked 17 October 2026.
Do customers need a licence to use a rented boat or jet ski in Latvia?
Recreational skipper licence (CSDD) needed for sail and motorised recreational craft up to 12 m on inland waters and the coastal sea; jet skis count as motorised recreational craft. Source: csdd.lv, checked 17 October 2026.
How do I register a watercraft rental business in Latvia?
Register a company (e.g. SIA) or individual merchant with the Register of Enterprises (Uzņēmumu reģistrs), which runs the company registration portal. Source: ur.gov.lv, checked 17 October 2026.
Is insurance compulsory for a watercraft rental in Latvia?
MK 1171 sets insurance requirements only for large ships (oil/bunker pollution, 300+ GT). No compulsory insurance for small rental craft was found. Source: likumi.lv, checked 17 October 2026.
Next steps
What each craft must carry
The safety equipment a rental SUP, kayak, jet ski, motorboat and sailboat must carry in Latvia, from the law.
Safety rules for rental fleets in Latvia Kit Finder on vesselsos.com ↗Free tools for your dock
Print them, no account needed. Only the PDF asks for your email.
Safety briefing cardRental agreement & waiver templateDock poster All free toolsThen run the day with VesselSOS Fleet
Fleet is the rental dashboard we are building with pilot operators for the 2027 season. Your customers' phones are the trackers — no hardware.
Fleet does not replace any permit, licence or duty on this page.