Every yacht has its best tax option
The tax position of a pleasure yacht in Spain depends on many factors: its flag, its customs status, the owner's tax residence, how the yacht will be used (private or charter) and how long it will stay in Spanish waters. Getting it right from the start can make a very significant difference.
Since 1999 we have advised owners, brokers and charter companies, drawing on in-depth knowledge of the EU Customs Code and Spanish tax rules, and treating every case as a tailored project.
Our yacht tax services
- Specialist tax advice before buying, selling, importing or re-flagging.
- Permanent import into the EU: release for free circulation and payment of import VAT.
- Temporary admission for non-EU-flagged yachts owned by non-EU residents.
- Spanish matriculation tax (IEDMT): analysis, filing and applicable exemptions.
- Exports of yachts outside the European Union.
- Inward processing relief for repairs and refits of non-EU yachts.
- Customs formalities and representation before Spanish Customs.
Temporary admission: cruising the EU without paying VAT
Yachts registered outside the EU and owned by persons established outside the EU may, under certain conditions, use the temporary admission regime. It allows the yacht to stay in EU waters for up to 18 months without paying import duties or VAT, provided it is used privately and the requirements are met.
If the owner becomes resident in Spain, the yacht is used commercially or the time limit is exceeded, the situation changes. We help you plan entries and exits and avoid surprises.
VAT and matriculation tax (IEDMT)
As a general rule, yachts used in Spain by Spanish residents must be registered in Spain and pay the IEDMT matriculation tax, whose general rate for pleasure craft is 12%. Exemptions exist, such as for yachts genuinely dedicated to charter, subject to specific requirements. We review your case to apply the most favourable option the law allows.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay VAT if I bring my yacht to Spain?
It depends on the yacht's customs status and the owner's residence. A yacht with EU VAT already paid does not pay it again when moving within the EU. A yacht without EU status can be imported permanently, paying VAT, or, if it meets the requirements, use temporary admission.
What is the IEDMT and when is it due?
It is the Spanish matriculation tax on means of transport. For pleasure yachts it is due when the yacht is registered in Spain or when it is used in Spain by a Spanish resident, unless an exemption applies.
Can I keep a foreign-flagged yacht if I live in Spain?
As a general rule, a Spanish resident using a yacht in Spanish waters must register it in Spain or pay the IEDMT, even if it flies a foreign flag. Each case should be reviewed individually.
Do you only work on the Costa del Sol?
Our office is in Estepona and we work every day with yachts berthed in the marinas of the Costa del Sol: Sotogrande, La Duquesa, Estepona, Puerto Banús and Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Málaga. We also handle tax and customs matters for yachts all over Spain, with clients from many countries.