Germany Boat Registration – Register your Yacht under German Flag

The Germany boat registry is considered one of the best in the world and ranked #11under the Paris memorandum of understanding of vessel port state control (MOU). The average age of merchant ships under the German flag is amongst the lowest worldwide.

We can register any EU private citizen or EU company owning a boat to register their vessel yacht under German flag. In order to register a yacht in the German Maritime Register of Shipping under German flag law, it is required that either a EU private individual or EU company with its residence in any EU member state would need to appoint an regional flag agent in Germany. The regional flag agent who will need to become appointed, has to be a German citizen with residence in the jurisdiction and district of the ship register and has to be a so called honest person.

We take care of this for you!

What type of boat can be registered under German Flag?
You can register your vessel in Germany for private, bareboat or commercial use.

How long is a German flag registration valid?
The German flag registration is valid for the life of the boat!

How much does it cost to register your boat under German flag?

• Registration in register of seagoing yachts € 393,-
• Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) for the preparation of the ship's tonnage certificate € 250,-
• Ship register - Fee Maritime Register of Shipping, which is calculated according to the ship's value ____ + € 25,-
• We handle all paperwork, filling of documents and provide you with a local registered German law firm to be your local agent for a one-time fee of €995,- You will pay the above government fees in addition to our service fee.

How much does it cost to get a German MMSI radio license?
We can handle all the (German) documents for requesting a Radio, MMSI license. We charge a fee of € 250,- (including all government fees) and can provide the MMSI license with your boat registration or just by itself.

What are the annual renewal fees after registering my boat in Germany? There are no annual fees after registering your boat under German flag!

How long does it take to register under German flag?
Usually, the time for obtaining the Ship certificate takes about 3-5 weeks, but in urgent cases there is the possibility in Hamburg to have an English provisional registration certificate issued by the court immediately, confirming that application for the ship registration has been orderly filed and that the yacht will be registered in the ship register shortly. This certificate enables the our clients to already use his yacht on the basis of a deemed provisional registration.

Are there any safety requirements for vessels under German flag?
The safety requirements that a recreational vessel flying the German flag needs, depends on the use of the vessel:

• If used privately - no certificate is required
• If hiring out as bareboat charter then a Boat Certificate ("Bootszeugnis") is required
• If commercially used then a “Safety Certificate for Recreational Craft” and “Safe Manning Certificate” are required

Which Documents are needed for the German Boat registration?

• Copy of the UBO’s identity card (UBO= Ultimate owner of the boat)
• Copy of an utility bill from the UBO. The invoice or letter should indicate the address that is also indicated on your identity card.
• Current ship registration documents and cancellation certificate from the pre-registration or non-registration certificate in relation to the Yacht;
• A Power of attorney for us to take care of the registration (we provide this to you)
• Declaration of Conformity and CE Certificate for the yacht (copy is ok)
• Builder's Certificate (copy is ok)
• 2 x photos of the yacht:1 x side and 1 x stern view of the Yacht (real photos)
• the value of the Yacht (last purchase price paid).
• Our application form with client details, boat details like: manufacturer, type, power, year of construction, engine number, length etc.
• Our KYC form (know your client) questionnaire (we provide this to you)
• In case of EU company owning the vessel: notarized and apostilled corporate documentation of the foreign company (Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Article of Association, Certificate of Good Standing)