Most common questions about Germany yacht registration

What nationalities can apply for the GERMAN flag?

German registration is available for German residents and citizens or for corporation from the EU.

Can I register my boat as a commercial or bareboat charter?

In Germany, you can register your boat for individual, bareboat, or business use.

How long will it take for my yacht to be registered in the GERMAN?

In Hamburg, it is possible to obtain an English provisional registration certificate from the court right away, confirming that the application for the ship registration has been properly filed and that the yacht will soon be registered in the ship register. Typically, the process for obtaining the ship certificate takes about 3-5 weeks. With the aid of this certificate, one of our clients is now authorised to operate his yacht under the presumption of a provisional registration.

How long is a registration for the German flag good for?

German registration is valid for 5 years.

What documents are required to register the boat?

• A duplicate of the boat's UBO's identification card

• A replica of a utility bill from the UBO. The invoice or letter should include your address, which is also on your ID.

• Paperwork for the most recent ship registration, as well as the Yacht's pre-registration or non-registration certificate's cancellation certificate;

• A Power of Attorney authorising us to manage the registration (we provide this to you)

• Conformity Declaration and Yacht CE Certificate (copy is fine)

• Certificate of builder’s certificate (copy is fine)

• Two photographs of the yacht: one of the side and one of the stern (actual photographs); the yacht's value (last purchase price paid).

• Our application form includes customer information as well as boat information, including manufacturer, type, power, construction year, engine number, length, etc.

• Our KYC (know your client) form survey (we provide this to you)

• If an EU firm owns the vessel, the foreign company's corporate documents (such as a Certificate of Incorporation,

• Articles of Association, Certificate of Good Standing, and Memorandum)

What does it cost to have your boat registered under German flag?

€ 393 is the registration fee for seagoing boats.

For the creation of the ship's tonnage certificate, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) will charge €250,

Ship registration: The fee for the Maritime Register of Shipping is determined by the ship's valuation plus €25.

For a one-time price of €995, we handle all paperwork, document filling, and provide you with a local registered German law firm to act as your local agent. You are still responsible for the government taxes.

How much does a German MMSI radio licence cost?

We can handle all of the (German) paperwork required to submit a Radio, MMSI licence request. The MMSI licence can be provided with your yacht registration or separately for a price of €250 (all government expenses included).

Are there any safety standards for ships flying the German flag?

Depending on the purpose, a recreational vessel flying the German flag may be subject to the following safety requirements:

• No certificate is needed if used privately.

• A Boat Certificate ("Bootszeugnis") is necessary if renting out a boat for bareboat charter.

• A "Safety Certificate for Recreational Craft" and "Safe Manning Certificate" are needed if the craft is operated professionally.

Are inspections required?

For pleasure craft under 24 m in length, a more straightforward measurement is used (according to Art. 2, Paragraph 8 of the International Ship Measurement Convention, London 1969). This is restricted to figuring out the ship's length and gathering the data needed to issue the tonnage certificate.

A precise measurement is made on board the ship in accordance with the International Convention on Ship Measurement's regulations for vessels that are 24 meters in length or longer (as stated in Art. 2, Paragraph 8 of the International Convention on Ship Measurement, London 1969).

Following that, these ships are issued an international tonnage certificate (ITC 69, International Tonnage Certificate 1969).

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept all international payment methods.

Do you accept documents in all languages?

Documents are accepted in English; we will take care of the sworn translation if needed.

How can I delete the current GERMAN registration?

Send us the copy of your Passport.

The Return of a Flag Certificate Form must be completed, printed, signed, and sent to the United States. This form is only accessible in German.

Please be prompt with your application submission. The order in which applications are received will determine how they are handled. You should prepare for a lengthier processing time if there are many applications.

Most of the time, we need to have the original registration paper back so we can include it in the termination dossier we have to present to the maritime authorities. You will receive a "proof of deletion" once the cancellation has been executed, which you can use to enable a fresh registration.

Would It be possible to register a boat that was home-built?

That is certainly doable. However, you must give us the invoices for the major components of the boat, such as the hull, engine, mast, etc. A tonnage certificate and some images of the boat's construction are also required.

Is it possible to register a yacht before it is completely built?

That is certainly doable. For this, we require a builder’s certificate containing all relevant information, including the name of the boat's maker, owner, and model.