Specialist legal advice for brokers, recreational vessel owners, marinas, boatyards, yacht charter companies, captains and crew.
At Vectoris Legal we are specialist yacht and nautical lawyers in Spain, advising yacht owners, charter operators, shipyards, marinas, brokers and superyacht management companies. Our nautical law practice covers the full spectrum of legal issues arising from yacht ownership and operation in Spanish and international waters: purchase and sale, charter contracts, VAT and customs, registration, maritime accidents and yacht arrest.
The purchase and sale of a yacht is a complex transaction involving multiple legal, fiscal, regulatory and technical aspects. At Vectoris Legal we advise buyers and sellers — residents and non-residents, individuals and corporate entities — in all phases: pre-purchase due diligence, contract negotiation and drafting, flag and registration arrangements, VAT and transfer tax structuring, and post-completion issues including hidden defects and warranty claims.
The MYBA charter contract is the industry standard for superyacht charter in the Mediterranean. Governed by English law and administered by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, it establishes the rights and obligations of owner and charterer in meticulous detail. At Vectoris Legal we negotiate, draft and review MYBA contracts and bespoke charter agreements, advise on VAT treatment of charter operations and represent parties in charter disputes before Spanish courts and London arbitration tribunals.
The Active Processing Regime (RPA) — also known as Active Processing Traffic (TPA) — allows vessels registered under a non-EU flag to undergo repair, maintenance, refitting or modification in Spain with full VAT exemption on all related services and materials, including mooring costs during the work period. Correctly applied, this regime can mean a 21% VAT saving on the total cost of the works. At Vectoris Legal we obtain the RPA authorisation from the Spanish Customs Authority, coordinate the documentation with the shipyard and marina, and manage the closure of the regime.
Vessels registered under a non-EU flag whose owners are established outside the EU Customs Territory can benefit from the Temporary Importation Regime (RIT), allowing a stay in EU waters for up to 18 months with exemption from import VAT and customs duties. Non-compliance with its requirements gives rise to a customs debt. We advise on access conditions, manage entry and exit documentation and provide legal assistance when Customs questions the correct application of the regime.
The choice of flag and registration affects the vessel's legal status, tax treatment, crewing requirements and enforcement possibilities. At Vectoris Legal we advise on Spanish registration and flagging, on the transfer between registries and on compliance with Spanish and EU regulatory requirements for recreational craft operating in Spanish waters.
Collisions between recreational craft, damage to port infrastructure, crew accidents on board and pollution incidents in Spanish coastal waters give rise to complex liability claims. We represent yacht owners, charter operators and insurers in accident claims, coordinating with P&I underwriters and maritime surveyors to maximise the prospects of a successful outcome.
When a maritime creditor needs to enforce a claim against a yacht owner, yacht arrest is the most effective interim measure available. We operate a dedicated yacht arrest practice covering all Spanish marinas and yacht clubs 24 hours a day. See our dedicated page: Ship Arrest in Spain. For more information, see our page on ship and yacht arrest in Spain.
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