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One of the great attractions of amateur radio is the ability to operate from other countries when you travel. Several international frameworks and bilateral agreements make this possible without requiring a new licence in each country you visit.
The most comprehensive reciprocal licensing framework is the CEPT system, established under Recommendation T/R 61-01. This allows holders of qualifying amateur radio licences from participating countries to operate in any other participating country without obtaining a separate licence.
When operating under CEPT T/R 61-01:
CEPT T/R 61-01 is supported by all 46 CEPT member administrations plus a number of non-European countries that have been accepted into the system. As of the latest updates, participating non-CEPT countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Peru, and South Africa, among others.
The full and current list of participating countries is maintained by the CEPT Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) and available on their website.
CEPT T/R 61-01 generally applies to the highest national licence class (the one equivalent to the CEPT HAREC standard). For the United States, both the Amateur Extra and General class licences are accepted under CEPT. Some countries may accept intermediate-level licences as well — check the specific provisions for your destination.
A parallel system exists for entry-level or novice-class licences. Countries participating in ECC Report 89 recognise each other's entry-level licences, typically with lower power limits. Not all CEPT countries participate in this novice-level recognition, so check before travelling.
The International Amateur Radio Permit (IARP) provides reciprocal operating privileges across the Americas. Established by the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), the IARP system works similarly to CEPT but covers countries in North, Central, and South America.
IARP participants include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and others. The list of participants can change, so verify current participation before your trip.
Many countries have bilateral reciprocal operating agreements that exist outside the CEPT and IARP frameworks. These are individual agreements between two countries that allow each other's licensed amateurs to operate on a reciprocal basis.
The United States has reciprocal operating agreements with numerous countries. To operate under a US bilateral agreement, you typically need to:
Bilateral agreements vary in their specific requirements, but common elements include:
The standard convention when operating in another country is to prefix your home callsign with the host country's prefix:
| Situation | Call used |
|---|---|
| US operator in France | F/W1ABC |
| German operator in the US | W/DL1XYZ |
| UK operator in Australia | VK/G3ABC |
| Japanese operator in Canada | VE/JA1XYZ |
Some countries have specific formatting requirements (e.g., the number might indicate the region you're operating from within the host country). Check local rules.
Operating from rare or unusual locations (DXpeditions) often involves additional licensing considerations. DXpedition teams typically need to obtain specific permits from the host country's regulatory authority, especially for uninhabited territories, islands, or areas that are not covered by standard reciprocal agreements.
Not all countries have reciprocal agreements with each other. In some cases, you may need to:
Always research the specific requirements well in advance of your trip.