Schengen and the Vat

[Wasserratte]

We have been sailing the Med for over 7 years with our American flagged sailboat. By always spending at least one night outside the Schengen Zone every summer, we’ve taken advantage of the 18 months allowed to sail in Europe without having to deal with the Vat. Past years have seen us stop in Gibraltar, Morocco, or Albania. We now have the boat in Monfalcone in the Adriatic near Trieste. Since we want to spend the summer in the States and not on the boat for the long haul to Albania, I was wondering if anyone knew whether Croatia, which is in the EU but not the Schengen zone, would be considered a country which would allow us another 18 months Vat free. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Dtm67]

Croatia is part of the EU customs zone (even though it’s not schengen yet). As such it won’t give an extra 18 months versus the rest of the EU. You would need to leave the EU customs union to do that. Montenegro in the area does the trick nicely and is an easy day sail from cavtat in the south of croatia. Montenegro alsohas some great cruising grounds as a bonus. A visit once a year to the Bay of Kotor and back to croatia would reset your temporary import indefinitely.