Registering a boat in EU fast and simple - which country?

[Sinfected]

Hello,
I am sorry if this was discussed elsewhere, but I found only old/outdated information.

I have bought my first sailboat last week and I need to register it (or basically get a flag to fly). The boat (27ft Albin Vega, 1974) is currently in Sweden and I need to sail it from her mooring by end of August. I am a Czech (EU) national, but Czech registry is non-sense as I would have to pay a technician to come to Sweden to issue a technical certificate.
Considering the age and price of the boat, it doesnt make much sense to pay for a survey or any other costly registration solution.

Has anyone registered a small sailboat in EU recently? Most countries (UK, Germany, Sweden) seem to require residency to register.

From what I found Belgium could be a way to go. Does anyone know the exact requirements and especially the process of obtaining their flag? Does it have to be made in person? Does the office communicate in English?

Is it possible to register a small sailboat in the Netherlands? If so, where and how? The only registry I found is for speed boats >20km/h.

Has anyone of you tried to register to UK SSR through a friend (UK address and credit card) recently?

I am sorry for so many questions, but I am quite desperate to be honest.

Thank you for any information and I appreciate any input. =)

[jannw]

Belgium is easy, except for the requirements that the registration and sale document are provided in one of the three official languages ... Flemish, French, or German. I provided a translation of my sale document into German, and had a local agent perform the paperwork ... very simple.

I used: Pavillon belge : Le site officiel de l'immatriculation de bateaux de plaisance sous pavillon belge ... they were helpful and nice.

[Sea Frog]

Originally Posted by Sinfected

Is it possible to register a small sailboat in the Netherlands? If so, where and how? The only registry I found is for speed boats >20km/h.

This one registers all, but I am somewhat confused with "light" and "worldwide" registrations. You can ask them for info.

[Polux]

Originally Posted by jannw

Belgium is easy, except for the requirements that the registration and sale document are provided in one of the three official languages ... Flemish, French, or German. I provided a translation of my sale document into German, and had a local agent perform the paperwork ... very simple.

I used: Pavillon belge : Le site officiel de l'immatriculation de bateaux de plaisance sous pavillon belge ... they were helpful and nice.

They finished with that. Now for having a belgium banner basicly you have to live there or be a belgium citizen or have some sort of strong relationship with Belgium.

[BandB]

I would recommend using a documentation agency. Yes, there is an added cost, but it's not as simple as you want. They can advise you based on where the boat is and will be going, how you intend to use it, where you are a resident, your citizenship and other factors what will work for you. They are a great insurance against screwing up.

[Sinfected]

jannw, Sea Frog, Polux, BandB:
Thank you very much for help!
The Dutch broker agency looks promising.

For the future sake of someone with the same problem - apparently it is possible to get a Swedish flag even if you are not a Swedish national through a Swedish sailing club. Costs 500SEK/year. I haven't tried it yet though.

[wolfgal]

Hi. As a EU citizen/resident, I have been scouting for a way to import a(n older non-COC) boat into the EU.

I found a service that allows one to get around the COC bit by having an address in Holland. the process I found looks pretty fast and easy. Once the documents are handed over, the paperwork apparently takes something like a week. I have not done it yet but am happy to have found someone who can help me when the time comes.

here is the link

Our registration products | Register your yacht under the*Dutch*flag.

if you check into it, i'd appreciate having feedback

[BandB]

Originally Posted by wolfgal

Hi. As a EU citizen/resident, I have been scouting for a way to import a(n older non-COC) boat into the EU.

I found a service that allows one to get around the COC bit by having an address in Holland. the process I found looks pretty fast and easy. Once the documents are handed over, the paperwork apparently takes something like a week. I have not done it yet but am happy to have found someone who can help me when the time comes.

here is the link

Our registration products | Register your yacht under the*Dutch*flag.

if you check into it, i'd appreciate having feedback

You can also go directly to Yacht Registration Holland at

https://www.yachtregistration.company/

I personally would talk to someone who registers in more countries, not just one, and find out the pros and cons of Holland vs. other countries.

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by Sinfected

Hello,
Has anyone registered a small sailboat in EU recently? Most countries (UK, Germany, Sweden) seem to require residency to register.

…
Has anyone of you tried to register to UK SSR through a friend (UK address and credit card) recently?

Suggest you consider Jersey Island registration. Here’s a link to it all. Jersey is within the EU and everything can be done in English, You qualify to register your boat under your own name as an EU citizen because you’re a Czech national.


In respect to the UK Small Ships Register, it’s certainly the cheapest by far. £25 for five years. The owner is required to live in the UK for at least 185 days of the year. Here’s link to the relevant page. But a resident UK agent can represent the owner. Presumably your friend could be the agent.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by grantmc

Suggest you consider Jersey Island registration. Here’s a link to it all. Jersey is within the EU and everything can be done in English, You qualify to register your boat under your own name as an EU citizen because you’re a Czech national.


In respect to the UK Small Ships Register, it’s certainly the cheapest by far. £25 for five years. The owner is required to live in the UK for at least 185 days of the year. Here’s link to the relevant page. But a resident UK agent can represent the owner. Presumably your friend could be the agent.

Sorry, but Jersey is not in the EU.

Sent from my D6633 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Maver]

Originally Posted by Sinfected

Hello,
I am sorry if this was discussed elsewhere, but I found only old/outdated information.

I have bought my first sailboat last week and I need to register it (or basically get a flag to fly). The boat (27ft Albin Vega, 1974) is currently in Sweden and I need to sail it from her mooring by end of August. I am a Czech (EU) national, but Czech registry is non-sense as I would have to pay a technician to come to Sweden to issue a technical certificate.
Considering the age and price of the boat, it doesnt make much sense to pay for a survey or any other costly registration solution.

Has anyone registered a small sailboat in EU recently? Most countries (UK, Germany, Sweden) seem to require residency to register.

From what I found Belgium could be a way to go. Does anyone know the exact requirements and especially the process of obtaining their flag? Does it have to be made in person? Does the office communicate in English?

Is it possible to register a small sailboat in the Netherlands? If so, where and how? The only registry I found is for speed boats >20km/h.

Has anyone of you tried to register to UK SSR through a friend (UK address and credit card) recently?

I am sorry for so many questions, but I am quite desperate to be honest.

Thank you for any information and I appreciate any input. =)

Pavillon Belge is the easyest way to do, you then will get a Dutch registration from the tourist organisation ANWB!

Regards, Martin

[northwestsailor]

Isle of Man is definitely the easiest. A foreign corporation can own the boat ie does not have to be an Isle of Man corporation that some British dominions require.

[grantmc]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Sorry, but Jersey is not in the EU.

Sincere apologies. I thought it was obviously. Although would that matter for what he needs? Don't know.

[nic26]

Dont forget Malta with the or 1 of the biggest registers world wide. Definitions and processes are described here:

Pleasure Yacht Registration Under The Malta Flag - Transport - Malta

El

[Ashanti]

In case of a Dutch flag, besides the agency www.yachtregistration.company/, you may also want to consider www.pavillon-hollandais.com or dutch-flag-for-yachts.nl.