VAT

[gstockton]

I am looking into buying my first boat in the Eastern Med, and i am interested in the regulations regarding the movement of boats with no VAT paid. When sailing into an EU harbour without any VAT paid on your boat, are you likely to be asked to pay up, there and then ? or, do you have a limited stay ? Further, what is likely to happen if and possibly when Croatia, Turkey and or Greece join the EU will VAT be asked for on your boat ?

 

[Oliveoyl]

I think you'll find that Greece is already in the EU, with a fairly high VAT rate!

 

[MoodySabre]

Once you are in EU waters you will have to produce the ships papers including proof of VAT paid in EU. The RYA will probably be helpful on this subject - presumably your first landfall needs to be in a country where the VAT is lowest.

 

[Talbot]

You would need to make cyprus your first port, as they have a rate of 15%

 

[Gordonmc]

You don't say where the boat is located, but if its in Turkey I would be wary of trying to import or even land in the D.R. of Cyprus.
On the accession of new states into the EU what normally happens is that vessels which could be proven to have been in use for a period before accession are deemed to be VAT paid, so hold onto boatyard bills, Marina berthing invoices etc.
My experience is with a boat for sale in Cyprus which had been on the island for at least ten years before accession.
Mind you, local customs officials obfuscated as is their wont.

 

[Melody]

There are several VAT rates in Greece. Many items are 19%, some 8%, and some 4%. I think (but you should check) that yachts only have 4% on them. Ours are commercial so we don't pay VAT but I think private purchases only get charged at the lowest rate.

 

[totopalm]

Was 16% on pleasure boats (private use)