Towards the end of 2025, the UK Ship Register announced that EU citizens who are not settled in the UK were no longer able to register their vessels in the UK in their own personal names.
The announcement made by the UK Ship Register stated:
UK Ship Register – September 2026 update to registration eligibility for EU citizen yacht owners
"As a result of EU exit legislation changes, we are no longer able to accept applications based on non-United Kingdom nationals exercising their right of freedom of movement of workers or right of establishment under Article 48 or 52 of the EEC Treaty or Article 28 or 31 of the EEA Agreement"
The UK Ship Register
However, on 4th September 2026, the UK Government provided a welcome update on its efforts to amend UK shipping legislation that will allow EU citizens to once again register their vessels in the UK:
1. UK-registered yachts already registered in the names of EU citizens
A direction has been issued by the UK Government to the UK Ship Register to the effect that EU citizen owners of UK-registered yachts are now able to renew their existing UK registrations on expiry, allowing them to continue sailing under the UK flag.
2. Yachts to be registered in the names of EU citizens
The UK Government, through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), is progressing amendments to the UK shipping regulations that will make it clear that citizens of EU countries are able to register yachts with the UK Ship Register. Once these amendments have been made, it will become possible for EU citizens to initiate new yacht registrations in their personal names.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact our yacht registration team.