Seaman’s Discharge Book required for yacht crew stamping out of Barcelona

Following the rules implemented by authorities in Mallorca on 1st January 2024, Barcelona have now followed suit and introduced similar measures due to increasing number of yachts entering their ports.  

From 2nd September, the changes introduced by authorities in Barcelona mean that any non-EU crew arriving in the area now require a seaman’s discharge book in order to be stamped out of the Schengen area. 

In the past, crew were able to provide a seafarers employment agreement (or equivalent) and accompanying letters to evidence their ‘seafarer status’ however this is no longer permitted. 

Without a seaman’s discharge book, any non-EU crew joining yachts in Barcelona will not be stamped out, this means they will be subject to local visa controls with their allowed days in the Schengen Zone being used. These rules apply to all non-EU crew. 

This change does not impact crew already employed and stamped out (onboard) and their days in the Schengen Zone will be paused as usual. It is important to note however, that if any crew leave and are required to rejoin the yacht, it could present issues in the absence of a seaman’s discharge book. 

The procedure for stamping in (off) is unaffected by this new ruling and remains unchanged. Crew disembarking are permitted to stamp in however they must have a valid visa and ensure adherence to local regulations. 

A seaman’s discharge book is required for crew working onboard large yachts or commercial vessels. It provides a record of the crew members sea service and employment history and most importantly it identifies the holder as a seafarer. 

Oceanskies Crew Team can provide further support with the application process which inevitably varies depending on the nationality of the crew and vessels flag. All applications must be accompanied by supporting documentation such as a seafarer employment agreement, qualifications, employment letter and proof of identity.  

In view of these recent changes, we encourage crew to obtain a seaman’s discharge book at the earliest opportunity to avoid any potential issues. If you would like further guidance or require assistance with the application process, please get in touch with the Oceanskies Crew Team.

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