Background of Red Tape Question: I am a US citizen. I am also an Irish citizen awaiting his paperwork back from that process. This means I'm a citizen of the EU. My wife will be a citizen of the EU in approx 6 yrs, since that is the waiting period for her to gain Irish citizenship by marriage.
Also, we purchased this boat under her name - she is the sole owner of the boat.
Questions:
1) We plan to eventually reside in the EU permanently. Will there be any issue bringing our boat there, since it's a US documented vessel?
2) Will my 100 Ton Master's License hold any merit?
3) Can we just set up shop and charter in the Med?
4) We'd like to locate in France or Italy - the border area between the two. Does anyone have any suggestion as to which might be best? We have spent a fair amount of time there by airplane, but we are not familiar with regulations pertaining to small business in each country.
5) Can you set up a business in an EU member state if you are a resident of another EU member state? As in... can I set up a business in say... Italy if I'm Irish? Specifically a charter business? Or do I have to register my boat in Ireland and just do charters as a foreigner?
6) How about that scary VAT tax? Am I going to have to pay 10% of whatever some customs guy thinks my boat is worth? (get out the coal and dirty up the boat!) ha ha ha
Any other things to watch out for in this type of move? We do plan to purchase a cottage over there as well, but would probably not do so right away... we would be immigrant liveaboards.... pretty tricky stuff!
PS: This is a 10 year plan, so no need for speedy replies.
