BREXIT Impact on Saling

[Cheechako]

Well, look at the bright side, maybe now you'll be able to buy a sailboat in Britain with the forward hatch facing the right way! Or buy a used boat in the Caribe and be able to take it back!
Seriously though, my guess is it will be turbulent for a while and then settle down... and Brits will be able to make their own decisions, and not have to pay up for a bunch of poorly run countries like Greece.
My mentor used to say "change is like a bucket of water, when a big change happens it's like you stir up the water and it swirls around in the bucket. Eventually it just settles down and is still"

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Are you aware that the Schengen Agreement and the EU are two completely separate things?

The Schengen Agreement was a travel/visa plan between a number of countries. Most were also members of the EU but several signers to the Schengen Agreement were not EU members and several EU members did not sign the Schengen Agreement. The UK has never been part of the Schengen Agreement.

So whatever happens to the EU may or may not have an impact on the Schengen Agreement.

Since the Schengen is really an EU structure even though it allowed a few non-EU countries in, there is a very good chance if the EU goes down, it will take the Schengen with it. Especially since immigration was a major driving force behind the referendum.

Probably more important for cruisers is the interplay with VAT. Currently going to the UK has limited benefits for non-EU residents with non-VAT paid boats. If they depart, the UK becomes a prime destination to reset both the VAT and VISA clocks.

[GoingWalkabout]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Since the Schengen is really an EU structure even though it allowed a few non-EU countries in, there is a very good chance if the EU goes down, it will take the Schengen with it. Especially since immigration was a major driving force behind the referendum.

Probably more important for cruisers is the interplay with VAT. Currently going to the UK has limited benefits for non-EU residents with non-VAT paid boats. If they depart, the UK becomes a prime destination to reset both the VAT and VISA clocks.

Good analysis Valhalla. Since sailor's have to check into each country anyway there was really no advantage for sailors in the Med regarding the Schengen. Big disadvantage is the forced departure after six months from a large and popular sailing part of the globe. Irrespective if VAT was paid or not. Add to the mix the almost uniform draconian VAT rules and you have a situation that any change will most likely end up being good for sailors.

Looks like another attempt of German European dominance is about to fail. As a women being interviewed in England so aptly said, why did our boys die in the last War.

Centralized control accross disburse nations always was a socialist objective. And an antithesis of democracy. It has taken a nation state that is the mother of modern day democracy to revert power and democratic rule back to its people. Bravo to the English and Welsh. You may have well saved the world from socialist domination.

[Hydra]

In the beginning, the idea for creating the European Union was political and economical integration in order to avoid wars in W Europe. The founding states were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The UK joined later, to gain free access to a market and, maybe, to prevent further political integration by pushing for further extension of the Union to Eastern Europe countries (Greece, Poland, etc.). Then, I feel bitter for I am convinced that the UK government caused the Union to derail and now they want to bail out.

After Brexit, I will go again cruising the English coast. I don't write UK, because I am convinced that Scotland will become independent again soon, to come back in the EU, as this is what the poll showed the Scots want.

Alain

[woodenboats]

Looking at Brexit from Continental perspective many are happy to see a nation leave that has been a pain in our back for 43 years, demanding all sorts of privileges and special treatment like a 3 year old. Once they are gone it will be much easier to advance with the european project.
In terms of sailing for non-EU citizens life will become easier with Gibraltar, Wales and England no longer beeing a member of Schengen and VAT zone.
A friend of mine will have to move his boat from England into the EU every three years in order to maintain his VAT status - presumably will do so permanently.

Sent from my Lenovo B8080-H using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[hoppy]

It's way way way to early to know what the possible impacts will be on sailing. We don't know what trade/immigration treaties and agreements will be signed in the next 2 or so years. I'm sure the CA & RYA will be lobbying hard to make sure sailors are not totally forgotten. It's quite possible, if not likely, that the EU will have to honour the VAT paid status of yachts purchased and vat paid whilst the UK is part of the EU

I suspect that the biggest problem will be for UK owned charter companies with UK registered yachts. They will probably be forced to open an EU company and register yachts within the EU to keep operating.

For now, everything is just speculation

[woodenboats]

Originally Posted by hoppy

It's quite possible, if not likely, that the EU will have to honour the VAT paid status of yachts purchased and vat paid whilst the UK is part of the EU

Why should they?

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[Dave852]

I know a direct impact for me will be my British (formally EU passport) will no probably no longer allow me an easy stay in French Polynesia.


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[skipmac]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Probably more important for cruisers is the interplay with VAT. Currently going to the UK has limited benefits for non-EU residents with non-VAT paid boats. If they depart, the UK becomes a prime destination to reset both the VAT and VISA clocks.

UK has always been a place to reset the visa clock since it was never part of Schengen.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by hoppy

For now, everything is just speculation

[atoll]

perhaps now the right wing is in ascendance,the UK will revoke the Balfour declaration and all our problems in the middle east will dissolve with the dissolution of Palestine and its neighbour..........

[Lantau]

It has probably made it harder to sell a boat priced in dollars...

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by woodenboats

Why should they?

Sent from my Lenovo B8080-H using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

They could be legally obliged to accept UK EU vat payments. I'd be surprised if the EU laws on Vat nullify payments if a country leaves and I'm guessing a team of lawyers could get a favourable decision in an EU court


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[Pelagic]

I feel sorry for all the older Brits living in Spain on UK pension funds getting local health support when needed.

Gives a whole new meaning to becoming..InContinent..
...without a paddle.....

[woodenboats]

Originally Posted by hoppy

They could be legally obliged to accept UK EU vat payments. I'd be surprised if the EU laws on Vat nullify payments if a country leaves and I'm guessing a team of lawyers could get a favourable decision in an EU court

Even then there is still the rule that if a boat has been out of the EU for more than three years, the VAT has to be paid again on re-entry...