How long can I stay without paying tax

[Ram]

HI
I was wondering how long I can stay in Europe before I have to pay the tax on a new boat. I just bought a new boat in France & will take delivery of it in Sept, I would like to sail it for a Month & then leave it there until march & continue on through the MED.. I read that I can stay in Europe 6 months out of 12, is this true?
Seems like 6 months is not near enough time to see the Med.
I supose could keep the boat out of the EU , if I knew where it would be safe?

[Jon D]

Check here -- best info I've found on VAT

http://www.svsarah.com/Whoosh/Whoosh%20Main%20Page.htm

[Morski Krastavac]

Ahoi Ram,

essentially you will be fine for 18 months: http://www.eurunion.org/legislat/VATweb.htm (scroll down to "Pleasure Yachts"). These 18 months start again, once you were in a non EU country (to proove it, keep receipts from Marinas or purchase of fuel from those countries that do not give you official clearing-in / out documents).

All EU countries are safe, so is Turkey. In Africa Tunisia is the place of choice.

If you are interested in details on Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, south of Italy, Turkey send me an email. Enjoy.

[Ram]

thanks Morski & Jon
Thats great!
this makes planning the trip a lot easyer!
Ram

[Morski Krastavac]

Hi,

Two more suggestions:

Since you want to leave your boat it may be a good idea to seek countries / areas offering not only safe but also reasonable berthing.

VERY expensive are: Sardinia / Corsica, Balearic Islands, all of Italy and France, Malta / Gozo. I would avoid these areas for any long-time berthing.

downright cheap: Montenegro, also good service and low costs for repairs in Bar (Marina St. Nicola)

very reasonable: Tunisia, Ionian Islands, Peleponnes

reasonable: Turkey, once away from Istanbul

Second:
INSIST on clearing-out documentation when leaving EU countries, no matter where you go next, technically you will not have to clear out if you stay within the EU / Schengen countries (say you plan on going from Italy to Greece), however if something happens and you must clear in a Non-
EU / Non-Schengen country you will have problems. This goes more so for the European regions in proximity to Africa (South of Italy, Malta) and Albania (Ionian Islands, Southeast Coast of Italy (Bari and south), particularly the Italians are very easy going (and sometimes simply lazy) on the issue, they will tell you, you do not have to clear out, but this may cause problems later on.