Do French regulations apply for foreign boats permanently in French harbour?

[jimbaerselman]

There is some misinformation here. I can absolutely confirm to you, that if your boat is more than 183 days in French waters, then you have to pay the "Droite de Navigation". Both your own personal tax status, and the flag of your boat, are irrelevant.

However, the Douanes do not check very often, hence lots of people get away without paying, and so many people (including some here) falsely believe that they are exempt.

Hmm. You set me checking. One question to clear the facts. Inland waterways of course require a vignette. So you are referring to coastal waters?

As you suggest, there's no policing of boat or personal movement within the EU, so it is only through a Douane check anyone will be picked up.

I think, but I'm not sure, that your reference to 183 days is for a vehicle's/boats continuous stay in another country (to be clear, an unbroken stay of 183 days) and the method to bypass this is for the boat to briefly leave France then return (rather as non-EU registered boats can renew their 18 month cruising permits by leaving the EU for 24 hours then returning to renew their permits for another 18 months).

It is clear from the regulations that if a person is not resident in France, they do not have to register their boats/cars in France. What I can't find is a reference to what happens if a boat/car stays in France too long, though I'm quite happy to accept your word that circulation taxation will apply. The EU law allows for that, although if the car is left off the road, or boat out of water, that should not count towards the 183 days.

Most EU countries collect dues from visiting yachtsmen as they visit harbours, so a standard circulation tax (like our UK car discs) doesn't need to be applied. So the length of stay of boats is irrelevant.

Thanks for pushing me to check this. Any further light you can shed is welcome!

 

[westernman]

There is some misinformation here. I can absolutely confirm to you, that if your boat is more than 183 days in French waters, then you have to pay the "Droite de Navigation". Both your own personal tax status, and the flag of your boat, are irrelevant.

However, the Douanes do not check very often, hence lots of people get away without paying, and so many people (including some here) falsely believe that they are exempt.

Wrong. Only applies to French residents (whatever nationality) who have access to a boat in France registered outside of France.

For French registered boats is an annual tax with a different name of exactly the same amount.

 

[westernman]

As far as I can make out here, the droit annuel de francisation et de navigation (DAFN) only applies to French registered vessels (regardless whether the owner lives in France or not).

Correct.

For a boat registered outside of France, but present in France and used by a French resident, then there is another tax for the "passeport" due which is exactly the same amount.

 

[Koeketiene]

Correct.

For a boat registered outside of France, but present in France and used by a French resident, then there is another tax for the "passeport" due which is exactly the same amount.

CLICK

Le droit de passeport (vous résidez en France et êtes propriétaire et/ou utilisateur d'un navire battant pavillon étranger)

Interesting that this...

Les navires taxés bénéficient d’abattements pour vétusté, applicables aussi bien à la coque qu'au moteur, dont les taux sont les suivants :
- 33 % pour les bateaux de 10 à 20 ans ;
- 55 % pour les bateaux de 20 à 25 ans ;
- 80 % pour les bateaux de plus de 25 ans.

... does only seem to apply for the DAFN, but not for the 'passeport'

 

[Ric]

Yes, agreed. I was hasty with my terminology, but the fact remains that boats in France have to pay a tax if they stay in French waters.

The amount is linked to the fiscal horsepower of the engine(s).

 

[Koeketiene]

Yes, agreed. I was hasty with my terminology, but the fact remains that boats in France have to pay a tax if they stay in French waters.

The amount is linked to the fiscal horsepower of the engine(s).

And boat length: click

 

[westernman]

CLICK



Interesting that this...



... does only seem to apply for the DAFN, but not for the 'passeport'

It used to apply for the passeport as well. It could be that it still does (I remember reading that the amount of tax is the same as for the Franciscised case), or may be that have changed that for this year???

 

[westernman]

Yes, agreed. I was hasty with my terminology, but the fact remains that boats in France have to pay a tax if they stay in French waters.

The amount is linked to the fiscal horsepower of the engine(s).

Only if the user or owner is French registered or if the boat is registered in France.

If you are resident in the UK and keep your UK registered boat in France, there is no tax to pay.

If you register your boat in France or you become resident in France (e.g. liveaboard), then the passeport tax is due.

 

[westhinder]

No requirement for this exists. Even for a Frenchman permanently resident in France keeping his French built boat permanently in the same French marina.

Which is why you will find so many Belgian-flagged boats in France, it's a way to circumvent the French safety regulations.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Frech customs site

CLICK
Interesting that this...
... does only seem to apply for the DAFN, but not for the 'passeport'

Guapa, many thanks for that link!

It's quite clear that the two forms of circulation tax only apply to people who are resident in France (the 183/365 rule) and/or boats registered in France. Also, I could find no mention that the period of time a boat spends in French waters is material - but there was a lot of reading material there!