BREXIT: The UK Register of Ships - No Longer an EU Flag

Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) the UK Ship Register is no longer an EU flag which is good news from a registration perspective for many yacht owners who are living outside the EU but sailing within EU territorial waters.

The reason why the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) is such good news is that the UK flag can now be used by non-EU resident owners intending to sail within EU waters under Temporary Admission relief from VAT as the UK flag is no longer an EU flag.

The UK Register of Ships is one of the world’s leading flag states for yachts. We have an online guide to its advantages here

We also have an online guide to EU Temporary Admission relief here on our website providing further information on how this customs relief works for non-EU owners here

One of the many attractive features of the UK flag is that it is an international register meaning that the register is not just restricted to UK companies or UK citizens and therefore citizens or companies from many different countries can qualify for UK registration in their name.

The following table lists the countries whose citizens and companies can qualify for registration in their own name: 

Registration with the UK flag is also very cost effective. By way of example our standard UK yacht registration package for a private yacht lying anywhere in Europe under 24 metres in registered length costs GBP £2,500.00.

The package provides a fast provisional registration valid for three months, tonnage survey of vessel in UK or EU, provision of the final Certificate of British Registry valid for five years, lifetime radio licence allocating call sign and MMSI number. The package is great value as there are no additional or annual costs to maintain the registration or radio licence for the five year life of the Certificate of British Registry.

We are always happy to provide a bespoke proposal for UK yacht registration – please do not hesitate to contact us.

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