registration/ flagging/insurance

Perrycas

Perrycas

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Hi, I'm Australian trying to sort my way through the process of buying a boat in the EU.
I have been told that if i flag it Australian i could lose the vat on it. Thats unconfirmed and am not sure where to ask for a definitive answer.
So I'm looking for a place to register a boat.

Anyone have any direct information on the Dutch light Reg or the Channel islands Jersey yacht registration. I looked at a company called Ocean Skies.

Insurance is another issue, Wanting to know if a boat can be legal with 3rd party/limited liability in the Med? or is that too broad a question?
As it'll be out of the water mostly I am hoping to find 6 monthly insurance, but so far no one will tell me yes or no. Next stop is just to ring some of them, but thought i 'd run it here first.
Thanks
 
IIRC, if you buy a used vessel in the EU that is VAT paid, VAT will not be charged on your purchase price. It has already been paid.

If, however you purchase a Company owned vessel on which the VAT has been re-claimed, the vendor will charge VAT.

If you buy a vessel from outside the EU VAT will be chargeable upon entry to the EU.

There are temporary importation rules with VAT waived if moved back out of the EU within a timeframe.

Others more knowlegable will no doubt put me right, or confirm in more detail.
 
If you buy a VAT paid boat in the EU you should have no problem moving it around the EU.
Where you are living (residential address) will be the main criteria for insurance and registering the boat. Countries in the EU all have their own regulations regarding your qualifications to sail and level of equipment required on any given boat, UK is the least onerous in that no qualifications are required and equipment required is minimal to none!
In the UK, you only need to register your boat if you sail it to another country.
It is normal to insure your boat with a company in the country where you live and keep / register the boat but I don't think that has to be so. Insurance will be required (3rd party minimum) if you have a boat in a boatyard or on a mooring, you can specify the period of time in and out of the water which could be a lower cost if you say something like 2 months in and 10 months out of the water but you would have to shop around. Another thing that insurance companies like asking for is a recent boat survey, when you buy most people get the boat surveyed for their own peace of mind, but if you are buying a 'project' boat and keeping it on the hard to work on a survey would be a matter of choice, this might not be an issue with the insurance company if you only want 3rd party.
Good luck.
 
If you are a non-EU citizen buying a VAT paid boat in the EU, then it will remain EU VAT paid until it leaves the EU and stays out for a period of 3 years. If it changes owner or has a refit outside the EU it will be liable for VAT on re-entry.

https://www.rightboat.com/blog/vat-on-boats-what-you-need-to-know

As an Australian, consider buying a non-VAT paid boat in the EU. It will be cheaper and can be kept in the EU on an 18 Month temporary import.

The process is fairly straightforward. Buy the boat VAT free and export it, which involves leaving EU waters. The following day you can return on a temporary import and stay for 18 months. Before the 18 months expire you must leave and return again, clearing out and in through customs to reset the clock. You could register and insure the boat in Australia or anywhere that allows you to dependent on your residency status.

Boatyards and marinas usually insist on any boat kept there being 3rd party insured in case of sinking, fire, fuel leakage or other mishap which will cost them money.
 
Excellent, thanks, that all makes sense. Thanks all for clarifying.
Qualifications are exactly the same here as UK. None. You do need a motorboat license to operate a dinghy with an outboard.
I don't plan on bringing it back to Oz, I've sailed most of this continents coasts, so looking for another experience - I plan to buy one, keep it for a few years in the Med visiting it for up to 6 months. When i have had enough of this would sell it again.
The alternate/light/association registrations in Holland and the Channel islands seem attractive as they are a lot less than Oz reg. So still hoping to hear something of these, but what i have read is very clear.
 
Graham376 said:
Unless Australia has special treatment, I suspect you will be personally limited to 90 days in 180 in the EU.
Click to expand...

Quite right. I have too say i am surprised how many EU members offer citizenship by grandparents. Many Australians, grandchildren of the footloose, and having the mixed blood origins we all do, unless of course you're a Black-Fella, have a few choices. Realising one of these options is time consuming. But not planning prolonged stays for the next 2-3 years. The whole thing is a bit of a long term plan, and i am not convinced its even realistic at this point. But then, in the words of the clown who is our present PM: 'y'-gotta-have-a-go'.
 
Perrycas said:
Excellent, thanks, that all makes sense. Thanks all for clarifying.
Qualifications are exactly the same here as UK. None. You do need a motorboat license to operate a dinghy with an outboard.
I don't plan on bringing it back to Oz, I've sailed most of this continents coasts, so looking for another experience - I plan to buy one, keep it for a few years in the Med visiting it for up to 6 months. When i have had enough of this would sell it again.
The alternate/light/association registrations in Holland and the Channel islands seem attractive as they are a lot less than Oz reg. So still hoping to hear something of these, but what i have read is very clear.
Click to expand...

Contact the guys behind the AB Sea blog - they are Aussies doing similar.
 
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