Long time sailor, first time owner, VAT help

[bewi]

Firstly, thanks to all who contribute to this forum, this wealth of information has been very helpful up to date.

My girlfriend and I have recently had our offer accepted on an ex charter boat from Italy and plan on taking ownership in September and swiftly exiting the EU no later than November.

I have a UK and NZ passport and she has a Belgian passport. We are open to any suggestions of registration (flagging) and ways of avoiding VAT considering exit strategies and ownership papers.

Hoping to tap into the wealth of knowledge this forum has...

[boatman61]

I'd not sweat the VAT issue.. you have 18 months before that becomes an issue.
Register her in your own country (NZ.??).. until you get your registration papers just present the bill of sale along with insurance and passports as you clear in and out along the way.. just fly the flag of registration.
Welcome to CF.. have a grand adventure..

[glynhome]

If you want to avoid VAT move to Montenegro, when they join the EU they may offer an accession rate, Croatia's accession rate was 5% in 2013. Also a friend of mine bought a boat in southern France and the broker did a deal with the local customs to pay VAT there but on a reduced value or he would go somewhere else and pay it.