Owning a boat in Spain

[Dylboy]

Hi all. I'm relatively new to boating, my only previous experience being a small motor cruiser on the canals a few years back, but I've been looking to buy a holiday home type boat in spain for some time. I have currently got my eyes on a second hand boat berthed in Malaga (a 40' twin screw motor yacht). I'll be looking to rent a berth in the Benidorm area when I do eventually purchase.

I haven't got bottomless pockets so I'm looking for any advice you can give me regarding owning a boat in Spain. Berthing charges? Maintenance costs? Hidden charges? Tax implications? Insurance? etc. etc.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

 

[trapezeartist]

I'm no expert on the subject but I have lived in Spain for a few years so I've picked up a few points. Remember that a boat should be flagged by the country of it's owner, presumably the UK in your case. The Spanish authorities then get a bit touchy about foreign-flagged boats taking up permanent residence because they see it as a dodge around the matriculation tax which is charged to Spanish-flagged boats. I believe some UK boats were impounded in the Valencia region (so you need to take particular care in Benidorm) while others left port very quickly when they thought they might be due a visit.

I imagine you could form a Spanish limited company to own the boat, then keep it under a Spanish flag. But beware the annual maintenance cost of a owning a company.

 

[Shearwater]

With a Spanish flag you will need a Spanish Cert of Comp and VHF. The Certs of Comp are unlike the UK one, as you have to pass different levels according to the size and type of boat and distance off shore you intend to travel. I sold a 23 ft yacht to a Spaniard who had a ticket for a rib or dinghy and he had to go through the prep and exam to enhance his qualification. On the other hand I know a Swiss chap with no real sea experience and he passed first time, altho' he has good language skills.

 

[alan]

My understanding (and I may be wrong) is that the boat should be flagged as per the country of RESIDENCE of the owner. On the British SSR application form you have to state that you are resident in the UK ........ which usually means that you have an address in the UK and that you live there for more than six months a year. Of course there is nothing to stop you telling porkies!!!!
You need to check very carefully on the amount of time that you can spend on-board in Spain and still remain non-resident in Spain.

Alan.

 

[jimbaerselman]

If you're going to spend more than 183 days per calendar year in Spain, you'll become tax resident there and you'll have to register the boat in Spain and meet Spanish regulations about licencing etc.

If the boat is in Spain full time, the authorities may assume you're there too. If you're not, you will have to prove you're tax resident elsewhere (travel tickets to prove absence and more).

Each country has different rules governing whether you can register your boat with that country. UK part III requires UK residence. UK part I doesn't. The subject is complex; you can get good advice from the RYA, or from The Cruising Association, but only if you're a member of one or the other - and it doesn't extend to individual advice - best left to accountants and lawyers!

 

[Wansworth]

If its going to be your holiday home and you are a resident in the uk investigate the idea of having the boat sealed whilst you are not in Spain.You can still be on the boat but not leave the harbour.May be we can have the annual discussion on Spanish rtesident/boatowning,its about that time!!!!!( sealed....precinto)