Sailing under the Belgian flag, a thing of the past!

[BM2023]

On 17 July 2018 legislation was formally published that changes will be made with regard to registering pleasure crafts in Belgium.

Up to now EU citizens with a passport from any of the EU states, or EU based companies, could register their yacht in Belgium.

As from 1 January 2019 only pleasure crafts owned for at least 50% by a Belgian resident can have their yacht registered in Belgium, or boats owned by companies registered in Belgium.

That means that boats owned for 51%+ by non-Belgian passport holder, will no longer be able to register their pleasure craft in the Belgian ships registrar after 1 January 2019.

Having read the text of this new legislation meticulously, it is pretty clear that foreign owned boats that are registered in the Belgian ships registrar, will not be able to extend their registration either, after the standard 5 years.

[boatman61]

Damn right..!!!
About time they started closing the 'Flag of Convenience' dodge.. its just not Patriotic chaps..!!!

[cuffy]

Here, here
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