Keeping a boat in the Canaries (non-resident)

webcraft

webcraft

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We've bought a second boat which we plan to sail to the Canaries and leave there as a Winter escape. Hoping to do the odd AirBnB let to help with Marina fees. (We stayed on a 39ft Jeanneau in Feb via AirBnB, so I know people are doing it successfully)

I lived aboard in the Canaries for six months ten years ago and we have friends with a boat who have been resident in the Canaries for many years and largely under the radar, but would appreciate helpful advice of a non-doom-laden nature from people with genuine relevant experience.

Boat is currently on Part1 in Guernsey, but will fall off it in a month due to insufficient paper trail and I will put her on Part3. I will have an ICC.

- W
 
webcraft said:
You have linked to this thread . . . . am I missing something?

W
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iPad finger trouble.

I have amended as necessary.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Capnsensible is particularly well versed in life in the Canaries.

Where is the boat now and are you planned to cross Biscay this autumn?
 
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nortada said:
iPad finger trouble.

I have amended as necessary.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Capnsensible is particularly well versed in life in the Canaries.

Where is the boat now and are you planned to cross Biscay this autumn?
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Boat is in Scotland and we are planning to sail her out in Spring. It's getting a bit late this year for crossing Biscay in a 30 footer, and she needs some work . . .

- W
 
webcraft said:
Boat is in Scotland and we are planning to sail her out in Spring. It's getting a bit late this year for crossing Biscay in a 30 footer, and she needs some work . . .

- W
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Hiya Webs, it's that 183 day rule you need to stay inside.

Where are you thinking of? Gizza PM if I can help.
 
capnsensible said:
Hiya Webs, it's that 183 day rule you need to stay inside.

Where are you thinking of? Gizza PM if I can help.
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We are not likely to be spending more than 183 days a year over there - still got a life and a boat in Scotland as well.

Thinking of La Gomera. Will PM you at some point - you are in Lanzarote, aren't you? Might see you on the way down if we pass that way.

- W
 
webcraft said:
We are not likely to be spending more than 183 days a year over there - still got a life and a boat in Scotland as well.

Thinking of La Gomera. Will PM you at some point - you are in Lanzarote, aren't you? Might see you on the way down if we pass that way.

- W
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Yup, Lanza. Finding now more than ever that booking a marina berth in advance is important. Places getting busy all year round now.

Good luck with the plan, reckon it can be done somewhere quiet like Gomera if you keep it low key. Perhaps an email to the marina before you go ahead might help. We have no choice but to pay a marina imposed charge per head for students at the school and day charters.

There is certainly more 'authority presence' around now. The school motor boat was boarded and inspected again last week by the Guardia. Correct paperwork made it easy!
 
capnsensible said:
Yup, Lanza. Finding now more than ever that booking a marina berth in advance is important. Places getting busy all year round now.

Good luck with the plan, reckon it can be done somewhere quiet like Gomera if you keep it low key. Perhaps an email to the marina before you go ahead might help. We have no choice but to pay a marina imposed charge per head for students at the school and day charters.

There is certainly more 'authority presence' around now. The school motor boat was boarded and inspected again last week by the Guardia. Correct paperwork made it easy!
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We have a contact in San Sebastian who keeps a boat there and when I was there before for three months I found the marina staff brilliant.

Low key is definitely the way to go.

- W
 
I'm looking at keeping a boat in lanzarote as a winter escape, just to confirm, am I only allowed to stay there for 183 days in total a year or do I have to leave before the 183 days but then I can return for another period up to 183 days?
 
Ian.S said:
I'm looking at keeping a boat in lanzarote as a winter escape, just to confirm, am I only allowed to stay there for 183 days in total a year or do I have to leave before the 183 days but then I can return for another period up to 183 days?
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No. It is 183 days in a year - that is you need to apply to become resident if you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain. Normally if you then bring a boat into Spain (or any other asset) you are subject to a 12% matriculation charge on those assets. This can be a voided in part by declaring the assets along with your application to become resident.

You are advised to take legal advice in Spain as to what you can and cannot do if you want to either avoid becoming resident or apply for residency.
 
Thanks for that, so if I only stay there for 4-5 months a year, say 150 days there are no issues? If I buy a boat in Spain and take it to the canaries and leave it there permanently at a marina is there any issue with the tax?
 
Ian.S said:
Thanks for that, so if I only stay there for 4-5 months a year, say 150 days there are no issues? If I buy a boat in Spain and take it to the canaries and leave it there permanently at a marina is there any issue with the tax?
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Canary islands is outside the EU VAT area so potentially the boat loses its VAT paid status if it is outside the EU for an extended period or if it changes hands outside the EU. If you are buying a motor boat it will likely be difficult and or expensive to move it to the Canaries as few will have the range to do it by sea.
 
See here:

michaelbriant.com/boat_import.htm

Should you eventually decide to stay longer and import the boat, worth noting that you will need to pay two taxes. One is the matriculation tax and the other is Canarian import duty.

One is 13.5% and the other is 11%. Even when I look at the two certificates I have in front of me, its hard to figure what is what!

Ask an agent is a top tip.

Woodside cargo is a good start. Not related :)

I love the Canaries but the beaurocracy can drive you bonkers.
 
capnsensible said:
See here:

michaelbriant.com/boat_import.htm

Should you eventually decide to stay longer and import the boat, worth noting that you will need to pay two taxes. One is the matriculation tax and the other is Canarian import duty.

One is 13.5% and the other is 11%. Even when I look at the two certificates I have in front of me, its hard to figure what is what!

Ask an agent is a top tip.

Woodside cargo is a good start. Not related :)

I love the Canaries but the beaurocracy can drive you bonkers.
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You been there a while now , so must have an good idea of the island , what's your opinion on good anchorages ?
For some years now we keep thinking of wintering out on the islands , but time and time again we read that the anchorage are poor , and swell for most of the time ,
we not really long term Marina users although a week or two over the winter months are fine .
We both harden sailors so we use to be anchored in uncomfortable anchorages at time but it's nice to also be able to anchor for long period without feeling your living in a washing machine .

Thanks
 
I've no intention of staying longer than the 183 days as will still have a house in the U.K. which I will return to in the summer months.
I just need some clarification on the boat side of things, as you say getting a boat over there will be difficult and expensive so with this in mind would it be better to buy a boat in Spain? What are the tax implications if I buy in Spain if any?

Where are you based? Do you have any knowledge of Puerto Calero marina?
 
sailaboutvic said:
You been there a while now , so must have an good idea of the island , what's your opinion on good anchorages ?
For some years now we keep thinking of wintering out on the islands , but time and time again we read that the anchorage are poor , and swell for most of the time ,
we not really long term Marina users although a week or two over the winter months are fine .
We both harden sailors so we use to be anchored in uncomfortable anchorages at time but it's nice to also be able to anchor for long period without feeling your living in a washing machine .

Thanks
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Hiya, here are a couple of ideas and as you mentioned, nipping into a marina if the weather kicks off a bit will help. Good forecasting locally.

To the north of Lanza is the small island of Graciosa. They say the best anchorage in the Canaries is a mile or so away from the small marina at Playa Francesca. Sand, good holding, odd charter cat during day, moon like quiet at night. If the Calima east wind is forecast, it will howl straight in there so goto marina. Will need to book with HM. Spend time there and you will get to know him and his Marineros. Marina has water but no electric but is ridiculously cheap. Village is awesome. All victuals available. Sand streets.
There are people there that stopped for two days ten years ago.....

Two other tenable anchorages either side of Marina Rubicon. Just outside to the west. 100m. Ask about bringing your dinghy in from time to time at office. Nip in in bad weather during winter is easy. After November it empties out a bit.

Same along at the Papagayo beaches to the east, 2 miles. Could be a choppy dinghy ride but peaceful overnight. Lots of day charter boats during day (sometimes me driving one of them!) but sheltered from prevailing.

Was there this afternoon. Cold evenings and damp but sunny days in the shelter.

Hope this helps!
 
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Ian.S said:
I've no intention of staying longer than the 183 days as will still have a house in the U.K. which I will return to in the summer months.
I just need some clarification on the boat side of things, as you say getting a boat over there will be difficult and expensive so with this in mind would it be better to buy a boat in Spain? What are the tax implications if I buy in Spain if any?

Where are you based? Do you have any knowledge of Puerto Calero marina?
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OK. As I understand it, if your stay is under 183 days, no problem. If you buy a boat in Spain and its tax paid there, you will still need to pay Canary tax if you stay over. If you buy a boat in Canaries all tax paid, you are in the sweet spot. Do check with an expert though!

Im in Rubicon. Did spend two years in Calero a while ago living on our yacht. Intend to be there on Wednesday night for a pit stop! Can answer quite a lot of questions about the place if you have them. :encouragement:
 
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