1979 Swiss registered yacht in America, What are the issues in bringing it back

[Rossynant]

Yup, funny thing, bureaucracy... The simple approach is to make sure what the law is, so you can avoid it then Details are important.
I only comment on this having imported the boat from UK to Poland, on paper only. Boat had no papers whatsoever and whole thing was done without the boat, physically. Virtual reality, so to say. Had an interesting conversation with my tax office here, as this was first ever seagoing ship imported into Kraków (happens to be far from sea) so nobody was sure and EU regulations were consulted in detail. Now I know how to buy a boat from say, USA, and get it into EU not paying anything, for instance.

I didn't say that, of course!!!

 

[Tradewinds]

So technically, all those Turkish marina-based UK boats (who perhaps just flitted across to Greece 'unofficially' ) could be liable for VAT on their return to EU VAT Area waters after the 3 years is up (which isn't a long period of time in the scheme of things).

 

[Tranona]

Yes. Easy to avoid by popping across to Greece every couple of years and keeping evidence. Also when selling do the deal in Greece. The Port Police charge about 3 Euros to sign and stamp the Bill of Sale - at least that is what they charged me when I bought my boat in Corfu.

VAT becomes due at the first point of entry, irrespective of where you live or the boat is registered.