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Regulations for Yacht Charter in Italy - A Guide

It is the purpose of this guide to set out our understanding of the current conditions applicable to the charter of yachts in Italy.

We understand that the following conditions apply to yacht charters commencing in Italy:

  • The yacht owner must fiscally register in Italy and obtain an Italian VAT number
  • Italian VAT is chargeable on all yacht charters that are either static charter in Italy or start in Italy and remain within Italian water for the duration of the charter at the prevailing standard rate (currently 22%)
  • The VAT chargeable can be reduced for charters that enter international waters (more than 12 nautical miles offshore) based on a predetermined ratio of time spent inside and outside EU waters based on the type (i.e. motor or sail) and length of the yacht as follows:

Motor Yachts

Length% of charter subject to VATEffective rate of VAT
Over 24 metres in length30%6.6%
Between 16.01 and 24 metres in length40%8.8%
Between 12.01 and 16 metres in length50%11%

Sailing Yachts

Length% of charter subject to VATEffective rate of VAT
Over 24 metres in length30%6.6%
Between 20.01 and 24 metres in length40%8.8%
Between 10.01 and 20 metres in length50%11%

  • Charter in Italy can be performed by both EU and non EU registered commercially certified and registered yachts
  • A central charter agent must be appointed and the owner must prove that they are genuinely making every effort to offer the vessel for charter on a bona fide commercial basis
  • Usage by the beneficial owner or any related party is permitted provided that they charter the yacht at arm's length on the same commercial terms as any third-party, (it is suggested that beneficial owner or related party charter should not be excessive in comparison to overall charter activity)

Oceanskies are working closely with a leading firm of fiscal agents in Italy who can handle all necessary fiscal formalities.

These services can be performed on a stand-alone basis for Italy only or as part of the Oceanskies fiscal registration service providing a one stop shop for the fiscal support of yacht charter activities in all of the principal Mediterranean yacht charter jurisdictions.

Our fiscal agency services can be provided on a stand-alone basis to all yacht owners or in conjunction with one of our turn-key commercial yacht charter ownership and registration packages.

For further information concerning fiscal registration for yacht charter and yacht charter purposes please click on the following link to the relevant section of this website:

  • Yacht Charter - Fiscal Registration

  • Yacht Charter - Ownership & Registration

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