British flag sailing boats from Croatia

[Nina Lucia]

I just wonder what's happening with all British flag sailing boats that are based in Croatia, Greece, Italy and France?Are they coming back to UK, or just "quick" crossing to Africa? We were planing to sail there and leave the boat for a few years, I can not see happening now ( thanks to Brexit). Is there a way? Maybe use Morocco as a base?

 

[RichardS]

The Croatians have no objection to British flagged boats operating in Croatia. I paid my VAT in Croatia so everyone's happy.

Richard

 

[Nina Lucia]

If you paid VAT, is that mean you imported your boat in to Croatia and it’s flying Croatian flag?
Problem is only you can use it up to three months at the time and than be away for six months, or I am wrong? Thanks Richard
Ivan

 

[dunedin]

I just wonder what's happening with all British flag sailing boats that are based in Croatia, Greece, Italy and France?Are they coming back to UK, or just "quick" crossing to Africa? We were planing to sail there and leave the boat for a few years, I can not see happening now ( thanks to Brexit). Is there a way? Maybe use Morocco as a base?

The flag state of the yacht has no relevance to things like VAT status of the boat (which has implications for how long a vessel can stay in EU waters), nor to how long the skipper and crew can stay in EU countries (Schengen or otherwise).
You might want to read some of the scores of other threads on this topic on this forum, or perhaps better refer to the Brexit pages of the RYA and/or the Cruising Association.

 

[RichardS]

If you paid VAT, is that mean you imported your boat in to Croatia and it’s flying Croatian flag?
Problem is only you can use it up to three months at the time and than be away for six months, or I am wrong? Thanks Richard
Ivan

I bought the boat in Croatia and paid Croatian VAT whilst it was Croatian flagged. I then de-registered it and re-registered it on the SSR register so it is now UK flagged.

There is a limit as to how long I can spend on the boat as a UK resident without a visa but that is far longer than we ever spend on the boat.

Richard

 

[RupertW]

I bought the boat in Croatia and paid Croatian VAT whilst it was Croatian flagged. I then de-registered it and re-registered it on the SSR register so it is now UK flagged.

There is a limit as to how long I can spend on the boat as a UK resident without a visa but that is far longer than we ever spend on the boat.

Richard

Exactly the same for us. Greece sounds like it’s being a bit weird about flags but other countries seem to understand the rules already.

 

[Nina Lucia]

Thats interesting, thanks. How did they work out VAT on second hand boat ( I suppose they use valuer for older boats?) , and do we get back UK VAT? And then when you pay VAT, do you still have to pay vignette?

 

[RichardS]

Thats interesting, thanks. How did they work out VAT on second hand boat ( I suppose they use valuer for older boats?) , and do we get back UK VAT? And then when you pay VAT, do you still have to pay vignette?

VAT on second hand boats is indeed based the value.

There is no escape from the vignette and sojourn taxes whatever the flag. Even Croatians are supposed to pay the sojourn tax when they visit their own boat. Whether they actually do is a moot point.

Richard

 

[Nina Lucia]

VAT on second hand boats is indeed based the value.

There is no escape from the vignette and sojourn taxes whatever the flag. Even Croatians are supposed to pay the sojourn tax when they visit their own boat. Whether they actually do is a moot point.

Richard

Thanks Richard

 

[sailaboutvic]

Exactly the same for us. Greece sounds like it’s being a bit weird about flags but other countries seem to understand the rules already.

come on Rupert have you known Greece to miss out on as much paper work they can get their teeth in.