Buying Spanish flagged boat and changing to UK flag

[davethedog]

Hi all,

Hoping to look at a boat in the next few weeks that is currently Spanish flagged and would want to change it to UK flagged (SSR part 3).

Has anyone done this recently and if so how difficult was this?

Thanks

DTD

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by davethedog

Hi all,

Hoping to look at a boat in the next few weeks that is currently Spanish flagged and would want to change it to UK flagged (SSR part 3).

Has anyone done this recently and if so how difficult was this?

Thanks

DTD

Easy, you just have to pay UK VAT and get it surveyed…

[davethedog]

I am aware no need to pay UK VAT or a survey for part 3...it is the removal of the Spanish flag registration I am interested in.

[greenlantern]

Originally Posted by davethedog

I am aware no need to pay UK VAT or a survey for part 3...it is the removal of the Spanish flag registration I am interested in.

Here are instructions for removing the Spanish flag registration:

https://www.boatdelete.com/#spain

[boatman61]

You should have a Spanish registration document.. just send it in with an accompanying letter stating you are the new owner and reregistering the boat in another country.
Have not done a Spanish boat but that was the process for two French boats I bought.. make sure it is free of all/any ties.
There may be a form to fill in so check the current reg doc to be sure.. eg the SSR states the procedure on its reg doc.
If its being handled by a brokerage they should be able to do it for you.
UK VAT etc is only liable if you take the boat to the UK, otherwise follow the 18mth rule in EU waters.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by CaptainRivet

Easy, you just have to pay UK VAT and get it surveyed…

No need to pay UK VAT unless he sails the boat to the UK.

[Alita49DS]

My understanding is that neither SSR or ON prove VAT status. ON is a title document though.

However, if you are keeping the boat in the EU you want to make sure that you have available proof of payment of EU VAT and that the boat was in the EU on 31/12/2020 through p1/01/2021 if VAT was originally paid in the UK. Otherwise you might get slugged for that in the EU.

[CaptainRivet]

Originally Posted by Alita49DS

My understanding is that neither SSR or ON prove VAT status. ON is a title document though.

However, if you are keeping the boat in the EU you want to make sure that you have available proof of payment of EU VAT and that the boat was in the EU on 31/12/2020 through p1/01/2021 if VAT was originally paid in the UK. Otherwise you might get slugged for that in the EU.

You cannot register a boat on Spanish flag without EU Vat paid, the first doc they request and won‘t proceed before you prove it…so if it was Spanish flagged EU VAT was 100% paid. My Cat was Spanish registered too when I bought it.
Deregistration Spanish flag takes time, mine took 2,5 month from handing in papers till they physically done it.

[davethedog]

Originally Posted by CaptainRivet

You cannot register a boat on Spanish flag without EU Vat paid, the first doc they request and won‘t proceed before you prove it…so if it was Spanish flagged EU VAT was 100% paid. My Cat was Spanish registered too when I bought it.
Deregistration Spanish flag takes time, mine took 2,5 month from handing in papers till they physically done it.

The time to do it all is what will concern me more than anything!

[Stewie12]

It would be wish to engage a Spanish Marine lawyer to ensure that there are no debts on the boats registry.

[SaltyMetals]

Even if it is a condition of Sp reg that VAT must have been paid you will need to hve the evidence that this is so. The chin of ownership nd Bills of Sale which shld include the original purchase nd VAT should be enough. Better still if the bot has a T2L doc which is the doc for free circulation within the EU.

If you bring the boat back to stay permanently in the UK you will have a UK VAT problem bec UK owners who have had their boats in the EU can bring them back with no new VAT but if ownership changed while the boat was outside the uk there will be UK vat to pay upon "importation" into the UK. If you are a member of the CA (Cruising Association) there is lots of guidance on their website (for members only)
Andrew

[surazo]

dear sailor .I need some advice about a ship that it was bought in France with Island cook flag but the registration is annual and is too expensive .Some sailor in the Med has suggested to get a new flag in Jersey Island because it is low cost and is valid for 10 years .Any have some knowledge about it and test that's true that is useful to navigate across the Med Or please I appreciate some suggestion
regards

[goboatingnow]

The situation re uk vat is the concession period has ended , any vessel bought outside the uk by a uk resident , uk vat will be due on arrival in the uk immediately , this also applies to uk boats outside the uk for more then three years , including those with Eu vat paid.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by davethedog

Hi all,

Hoping to look at a boat in the next few weeks that is currently Spanish flagged and would want to change it to UK flagged (SSR part 3).

Has anyone done this recently and if so how difficult was this?

Thanks

DTD

I presume you are a resident of the UK and can provide suitable proof.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Stewie12

It would be wish to engage a Spanish Marine lawyer to ensure that there are no debts on the boats registry.

That can be done by contacting the Spanish registry , however my experience is such records are not habitually updated by finance companies. It’s not a reliable way to ascertain if a lien exists.