HomeYacht Registration
  • ISO 9001 Certified · GDPR Compliant

Registering your yacht – we make it straightforward

Buying a vessel is exciting. Working out which flag state to register it under, less so. We take care of that for you: clear advice on the right register for your situation, and then the complete registration handled from start to finish.

Over 10 years of experience
ISO 9001 Certified
GDPR-compliant data handling
Satisfaction score 9/10 – ten years running

Your vessel, the right register

Most yacht owners do not register vessels every day. Flag state rules, ownership eligibility, and document requirements are not things you need to know, they are things we know for you. We have been doing this for over ten years, across all major European ship registers.

We start by understanding your situation: where you are based, where you plan to sail, how the vessel is owned, and whether you ever intend to charter. Based on that, we give you a straightforward overview of which flag states are the best fit and why, without jargon, without pushing a particular option.

Once you have decided, we handle everything. Documents, liaising with the flag state authority, follow-up, all of it. You hear from us when there is something to report, and we are available by phone when you have questions.

What we take care of for you

  • Clear advice on the most suitable flag state for your vessel and situation
  • Assessment of ownership eligibility, before you encounter any surprises
  • A plain-language checklist of the documents you need to gather
  • Complete preparation and submission of the registration application
  • All communication with the flag state authority on your behalf
  • Follow-up through to receipt of your certificate of registry
  • Referral to tax or legal specialists where registration touches on those areas

How the registration process works

Four clear steps. No surprises along the way.

Initial advice

We talk through your vessel, where you are based, where you intend to sail, and whether commercial use is on the table. You get an honest overview of the most suitable flag states for your situation, with clear reasons for each.

Document preparation

We draw up a clear checklist of exactly what is needed – no more, no less – and guide you through obtaining anything that still needs to be arranged. Most people find this easier than they expected.

Submission and follow-up

We submit your application and handle all contact with the flag state authority from that point. You do not need to chase anyone or navigate foreign bureaucracy, that is our job.

Certificate of registry

Your vessel is registered and you receive the official certificate of registry. We keep you informed at every stage so there are no unwanted surprises.

In which flag states can we register your vessel?

We mainly register with European flag states, these are well regarded internationally and offer a stable regulatory framework. Below is an overview of the registers we work with.

EU ship registers are mutually recognised across member states and offer strong legal protection for owners. Each has its own character, some are better suited to private pleasure craft, others to commercial operation.

Outside the EU, a number of European registers are well established and internationally accepted. These can be attractive options depending on ownership structure and intended sailing area.

By the numbers

9/10

Client satisfaction score, ten years in a row

10+

Years specialising exclusively in yacht registration

ISO 9001

Certified – one of the only specialists in the EU

15+

European ship registers covered

Why come to us?

We are not a large agency with a general maritime offering. Vessel registration is all we do. That focus means you get genuine expertise, not someone looking it up as they go.

Objective advice

We have no financial relationship with any flag state authority. Our advice is based solely on what suits your vessel and your situation, nothing else.

You reach a person, not a service desk

You call and Boudewijn answers, or calls you back promptly. No call centres, no ticketing systems. If you have a question or something comes up during your registration, you can simply pick up the phone.

Your data is handled with care

Registration requires sharing personal information and ownership documents. All of it is handled in strict accordance with GDPR — stored securely, used only for your registration, and never passed on to third parties or used commercially.

ISO 9001 certified

Our processes meet ISO 9001 quality management standards. That means consistent, well-documented procedures — and fewer surprises for you.

If one option is not available, we find another

Sometimes a preferred flag state is not immediately accessible, due to ownership nationality, residency, or vessel type. We know where the routes are and will find a workable solution rather than simply telling you it cannot be done.

We refer you to the right specialist when needed

Registration can brush up against tax questions, ownership structures, and legal matters. We are open about what falls outside our scope and have a close network of specialists , lawyers, fiscal advisers, we can refer you to or involve directly.

Questions people often ask us

These are the things most private owners want to know before they get in touch. If your question is not here, just give us a call or drop a note, we are happy to talk it through.

There is no single right answer, it depends on your situation. The nationality and residence of the owner, where you intend to sail, whether the vessel will be used commercially, your budget, and any relevant regulatory changes all play a role. We assess all these factors and give you an objective shortlist of the most suitable options, with a clear explanation of the trade-offs involved.

Yes, absolutely. Although we are based in the Netherlands, we register vessels in all major European ship registers — including Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Malta, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Norway, San Marino, and the United Kingdom. Our network of flag state contacts is well established, and we have practical experience across all of them.

Processing times vary by flag state and depend largely on how quickly the required documents can be assembled. We will give you a realistic timeline as part of the initial advice. If urgency is required, for example, ahead of a delivery or a charter season — provisional registration is often available, typically issued within a few working days.

Yes. Commercial and charter registration involves additional requirements compared to private pleasure craft registration. We manage both. Each flag state has its own rules for commercial operation, and we make sure your vessel is correctly classified and fully compliant before it enters service. You can find more detail on our commercial yacht registration page.

It is worth asking before you assume it is not possible. We can advise on alternative flag states that meet your requirements, or explore whether a legal route to your preferred register exists. Our experience across European registers often reveals options that are not widely known or immediately obvious.

All personal and vessel-related data is handled in strict accordance with GDPR. We do not sell or share data with third parties. Data is stored securely, access is limited to those directly involved in your registration, and your information is never used for commercial purposes. You can read more on our privacy page.

Registration touches on fiscal and legal questions, VAT status, ownership structures, import duties, that require specialist expertise beyond our scope. We are open about this. Where these matters arise, we refer you to or work alongside specialist lawyers and fiscal advisers in our network. You get the right advice from the right person, not a generalised answer.

Got a vessel to register? Let us start with a conversation.

There is no obligation and no intake form. Just call or send a short message describing your situation, vessel type, where you are based, and what you are looking to do. We will come back to you directly with an honest first assessment.