Affirmative.
If one feels this is desirable to register their
boat in a EU country other than their home country, it is wise to allow for various levels of
red tape in these countries.
SPAIN has one of the more strangling boat
registration rules that involve frequent haul-outs for state surveys, oddball
equipment requirements and licensing (skipper's certificates,
VHF certificates in Spanish), etc. etc. etc. Bazillions of Spanish 'funcionarios' (people employed / paid by the state, with lifetime
employment guarantee) need to justify their existence.
Also, Spain has stopped being a EU cash flow receiver last year and you may face an attitude shift towards visitors in some areas. E.g.
Barcelona,
Las Palmas.
Long story short, if you register in the EU, make sure you do so in a country that fits you paperwork tolerance levels.
I think perhaps UK sailors are best considering a
Gibraltar flag (?)
Cheers,
barnakiel
Spain