Brexit formalities for yacht delivery passages.

On December 31, 2020, the UK finalised its withdrawal from the EU and the customs union, concluding the era of free movement for both vessels and crew and changing the procedure for yacht delivery to and from the EU.

During that period, the world was also engulfed by the COVID pandemic, and travel and cruising were restricted to specific circumstances. The regulations appeared to differ significantly based on the country and occasionally on the official on duty that day. It was a period of confusion for many.

Since then, things have gradually stabilised, but it's undeniable that Brexit has led to significant changes and reduced freedom for British passport holders.

Prior to Brexit, a UK passport holder could reside in any EU or Schengen area country without any time or work restrictions.

Following Brexit, UK passport holders were restricted to staying 90 days within any 180-day period. Exceeding this limit could result in hefty fines and potentially being prohibited from re-entering the EU for a certain duration.

The 90/180 day rule can be somewhat confusing, so I've attempted to clarify it here.

• You receive a maximum of 90 days’ travel within any 180-day time of period.

• The 180-day time of period rolls on a daily basis. Each time you wish to enter Schengen, you must look back to a period of 180-days before this date.

• If you have already taken 90-days in the look back, then you will have to remain outside the Schengen Area until you are within the limits of the legal period again.

For example

• You visit France from January 10 – January 20 (10 days),

• Then Italy from March 1 – March 30 (30 days),

• And Spain from May 1 – June 9 (40 days).

By June 10, you’ve spent 80 days in the Schengen Area within the past 180 days. That leaves you 10 more days to stay legally. But by June 30, your earlier January visit drops off the 180-day window, giving you 20 days of stay again.

Hopefully that's clear!

However, the new rules impact both the vessel and the crew. Before Brexit, as long as VAT was paid in an EU country, the vessel could freely spend time in any other EU country without restrictions. Now, a UK-registered vessel can only stay in the EU for 18 months before it must either leave or pay VAT to an EU country.

However, it's not as daunting as it seems, as the vessel only needs to leave the EU for a single day and the clock resets. If you're in Greece, Turkey or Montenegro are suitable choices for a day or longer. In Italy, Tunisia is an option, and further west, Gibraltar* or even Morocco can be a great option for those seeking adventure.

*At the start of 2026, Gibraltar is concluding a deal with the EU to permit the free movement of people and goods. Consequently, it remains uncertain whether Gibraltar will continue to be an option once this agreement is implemented.

So, how does this impact us when entering or leaving countries?

Now, more than ever, it is crucial that all paperwork is accurate. When departing the UK, a declaration must be submitted to customs, which can be done via the customs and immigration website. This website can also be used for the arrival of vessels and crew.

Upon arriving in the EU, the vessel is required to use an official port of entry. The Q flag should be hoisted until the vessel and crew have been cleared in. Details of these ports can be found in the Almanac or the Noonsite website, and the vessel and crew must report to the customs office. Some countries, such as France and Belgium, require an online notice of arrival beforehand, which can be completed online here.

UK passport holders will then be officially recorded as entering the EU, and the 90-day period will commence.

Upon departing the EU, the vessel and crew must report to the customs and immigration office to ensure the vessel does not encounter future VAT issues and to confirm that the crew has been registered as leaving the EU without exceeding their 90-day stay.

It is important to verify the local regulations for each country visited, as the requirements for vessels not registered in the EU may vary. For instance, Greece mandates that non-EU yachts obtain a Transit Log (TL) from Customs upon arrival. This process can often be

completed online via the my AADE portal or through a local agent. There are options for an Unlimited Transit Log (UTL) if EU VAT has been paid (eliminating the need for check-ins) or a Limited TL (18 months) for vessels that have not paid EU VAT, which requires check-ins and check-outs at ports. Ensure all documents are kept secure, and have the log stamped by the Port Police following Customs.

In summary, since the UK left the EU, it is more crucial than ever to have all paperwork in order.

Before sailing from the UK to an EU country, a vessel must notify UK customs and immigration to record its departure. This process can be done on the government website.

Upon arriving in an EU country, the vessel and crew are required to report to customs and immigration to ensure the crew's 90-day allowance is accurate and the vessel's VAT status is correct. The Q flag should been flown until formalities are complete.

Before arriving, consult the Noonsite website for individual country regulations and a list of ports of entry.

Upon returning to the UK from the EU, the vessel and crew must report to customs and immigration before departing to ensure that any UK passport holder does not register an overstay and to prevent future VAT issues for the vessel.

Upon entering the UK, the vessel and its crew are required to report to customs and immigration using the website and must display a Q flag when they enter UK waters until formally cleared in.