Changes to Belgian Yacht Registration Eligibility Rules

The registration authorities of Belgium have amended the eligibility criteria for their ‘Lettre de Pavillon’ with effect from the 1st January, 2019.

The ‘Lettre de Pavillon’ has been widely marketed as a low cost Belgian flag yacht registration solution for EU owners but the result of the new eligibility criteria is that only vessels that are owned at least 50% by a person with a connection to Belgium (i.e. having Belgian nationality or residence) can be registered in Belgium.

Existing ‘Lettres de Pavillon’ remain valid until their expiry after which the registration will not be renewed unless the owner can meet the new eligibility criteria.

The new changes to the Belgium system follow recent changes to the Dutch system who amended their ICP registration certificates to no longer state “Flag Dutch” but state “Flag non-applicable” effectively invalidating the ICP system as an internationally valid registration.

The good news for yacht owners who are no longer able to qualify for Belgian flag yacht registration is that Oceanskies are able to provide alternative options using high quality internationally valid registers of title such as the British Register of Ships.

Two examples of low cost straight forward registration options under the British red ensign include the United Kingdom and Jersey registries - please click on the following links for further information and pricing:

UK Yacht Registration

Jersey Yacht Registration

For further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

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