Malta Yacht Registration Services for Private and Commercial Vessels
Yachts can be registered for private use, or commercially for charter purposes.
Private yachts are registered with fewer formalities, being destined for personal use. Any vessel larger than 6m can be registered under the Malta flag. These yachts cannot be chartered or hired out to third parties.
The Commercial Yacht Code applies to vessels over 15m that are used for charter purposes and places certain technical requirements on the vessel. Commercial registration entails fiscal advantages in terms of the ability to set off VAT incurred in expenses against the VAT applicable on charters, assisting cash flow.
The Malta Yacht Registration Process
For smaller yachts wishing to operate commercially, the Small Commercial Yacht Code applies to yachts that are between 12-24 metres in length. These yachts may not carry more than 12 passengers.
The Passenger Yacht Code applies to yachts that meet the following criteria:
- Operate commercially
- Intend to carry more than 12 but less than 36 passengers
- May not carry more than 200 persons
- Do not carry cargo
- Are engaged on international voyages
Such yachts are required to meet the applicable safety conventions, with a number of dedicated equivalencies, which take into account the size of the vessel and its operations (when compared to merchant ships, to which international conventions apply in full).
Why Register Your Yacht in Malta?
Registering your yacht under the Maltese flag offers significant strategic advantages for owners worldwide. Malta is a leading maritime hub with a highly respected international ship register, providing a robust and efficient framework for both private and commercial vessels.
Key benefits include:
* A reputable EU flag that is on the white list of the Paris and Tokyo MOUs.
* Competitive registration costs and attractive tonnage tax schemes.
* No restrictions on the nationality of the yacht owner, master, officers, or crew.
* Favourable VAT regulations, including opportunities for VAT deferral on importation.
* Straightforward and efficient registration procedures for both private and commercial yachts.
* Robust legal framework that protects the interests of financiers and mortgagees.
The Malta Yacht Registration Process
Our team at Acumum simplifies the registration process into clear, manageable steps. We guide you through every stage to ensure compliance and efficiency.
1. Initial Consultation
We assess your specific needs, determining whether a private or commercial registration is most suitable and advising on the ownership structure.
2. Company Formation (if required)
For non-EU owners, we establish a Maltese company to act as the legal owner of the yacht, fulfilling regulatory requirements.
3. Provisional Registration
We prepare and submit all necessary documentation to the Malta Flag Administration to secure a provisional certificate of registry, which is valid for six months.
4. Permanent Registration
During the provisional period, we coordinate all required surveys and finalise all outstanding documentation to secure the permanent registration certificate for your vessel.
Yacht management
A yacht is a valuable asset that may be part of a company’s portfolio, or the single operating asset of that company.
The management of the yacht as an asset entails a dedicated service that ensures timely management of its requirements that are essential to ensure its smooth operation.
Yacht management services include the following:
- Flagging and flag state regulation
- Budgeting, accounting and expenses management
- Provision of payroll software for crew management
- 24/7 helpline for captains and clients
- Sale/purchase assistance
- Corporate administration services
- Crew structures and payroll administration
- Sourcing finance
- Obtaining insurance quotes
