Planning for next year

[jimi]

With Brexit & Covid is the continent going to be an issue with an extended tour?

 

[Poignard]

With Brexit & Covid is the continent going to be an issue with an extended tour?

I am seriously considering re-registering my boat under an EU flag.

The problem is that I can't re-register myself, her skipper, under an EU flag!

 

[st599]

Define extended? If you're a British citizen, you'll be limited to 90 days in any rolling 180 day window.

 

[jimi]

Define extended? If you're a British citizen, you'll be limited to 90 days in any rolling 180 day window.

Couple of years, was toying with the idea of working my way up to where my brother lives in Pitea

 

[st599]

Couple of years, was toying with the idea of working my way up to where my brother lives in Pitea

You won't be able to stay in Schengen for more than 90 days at a time on a tourist visa, your boat if it's in the UK on December 31st, can only stay in the EU for 18months until VAT and import duties will be due.

Full details at: Brexit - what happens next? | Current Affairs | Knowledge & Advice | RYA - Royal Yachting Association

Unfortunately heading North, there's not many non-Schengen countries to duck in to, think it's only Russia in the Baltic.

 

[Koeketiene]

I am seriously considering re-registering my boat under an EU flag.

The problem is that I can't re-register myself, her skipper, under an EU flag!

If you are not an EU citizen, what would be the possible advantages of registering your boat in the EU?

 

[Poignard]

If you are not an EU citizen, what would be the possible advantages of registering your boat in the EU?

Because I keep her in France, and intend to continue to do so, but I want to avoid being charged VAT there.

I have also been told, although this has to be confirmed, that a yacht kept in France for more than 5 years might be regarded as a sort of second home and that could enable me to obtain a carte de sejour.

 

[Koeketiene]

Because I keep her in France, and intend to continue to do so, but I want to avoid being charged VAT there.

From what I understand, if your boat is VAT paid and she's in France on 31/12/2020 you will not be charged VAT again.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks very much for that document, I was unaware of its existence. I'll read it tomorrow.

My boat has not, so far, been liable for any UK VAT because she was built, and first sold, in the UK in 1967.

I will also probably sell her in France when I decide to give up sailing, and I suppose selling her with an EU registration may be easier than selling a boat registered in a "third country".

 

[Bobc]

I am seriously considering re-registering my boat under an EU flag.

The problem is that I can't re-register myself, her skipper, under an EU flag!

I thought you had to be a French citizen to have a French registered boat. Is that not the case any more?

I don't think you'll have any VAT issues, as the boat will be in the EU when the transition period ends.

 

[Poignard]

I thought you had to be a French citizen to have a French registered boat. Is that not the case any more?

I don't think you'll have any VAT issues, as the boat will be in the EU when the transition period ends.

Sorry, I didn't make it clear. I'm thinking of registering her in Ireland so as long as Ireland remains in the EU she would, I assume, be able to remain in any EU Member State.

Re the VAT, don't I become liable for French VAT if I do not remove her at the end of the transition period?

 

[Bobc]

Re the VAT, don't I become liable for French VAT if I do not remove her at the end of the transition period?

As I understand it if the boat is in the EU as the transition period comes to an end, then the boat is deemed to be EU Vat paid. If it is in the UK, then it is deemed to be UK VAT paid. So on that basis, I believe your boat will be deemed as EU VAT paid, but you would be wise to keep proof that it was in France at the time (I believe that Companie du Morbihan will provide written proof of this on request).

 

[Koeketiene]

I thought you had to be a French citizen to have a French registered boat. Is that not the case any more?

French national OR French resident.

Accueil | demarches-plaisance.gouv.fr

 

[Koeketiene]

As I understand it if the boat is in the EU as the transition period comes to an end, then the boat is deemed to be EU Vat paid. If it is in the UK, then it is deemed to be UK VAT paid. So on that basis, I believe your boat will be deemed as EU VAT paid, but you would be wise to keep proof that it was in France at the time (I believe that Companie du Morbihan will provide written proof of this on request).

+1

 

[GHA]

As I understand it if the boat is in the EU as the transition period comes to an end, then the boat is deemed to be EU Vat paid. If it is in the UK, then it is deemed to be UK VAT paid. So on that basis, I believe your boat will be deemed as EU VAT paid, but you would be wise to keep proof that it was in France at the time (I believe that Companie du Morbihan will provide written proof of this on request).

Is that still relevant with a pre VAT boat?
"My boat has not, so far, been liable for any UK VAT because she was built, and first sold, in the UK in 1967."

 

[Koeketiene]

Is that still relevant with a pre VAT boat?
"My boat has not, so far, been liable for any UK VAT because she was built, and first sold, in the UK in 1967."

Boats built before December 31st, 1984 are deemed to be VAT-paid (‘grandfathered’ into the VAT scheme, as it were) but only if they were physically within the EU as of December 31st, 1992. Both those facts must be proven with convincing documentation (e.g. original sales invoice; a slip lease receipt).

 

[GHA]

Boats built before December 31st, 1984 are deemed to be VAT-paid (‘grandfathered’ into the VAT scheme, as it were) but only if they were physically within the EU as of December 31st, 1992. Both those facts must be proven with convincing documentation (e.g. original sales invoice; a slip lease receipt).

So not a problem for pre 1984 boats then, thanks.
Since so few people know about the 1992 requirement , wonder what the chance of any dockside official knowing.

 

[jimi]

So if I plan to keep my boat in the Netherlands or N Germany it’s probably a good idea to get a letter from a french boatyard