Frequently Asked Questions - France Yacht Registration

Any individual holding the EU and EEA passport or resides in the EU or EEA is qualified to register a yacht in France.
Similarly, a company can apply for French flag registration if it is registered in France and if the vessel is primarily used for commercial or professional activities. The company must also meet the safety and environmental standards set by the French government. This can include companies which are registered in France or in the EU or EEA.

The documents that may be required include:

• Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or registration certificate
• Proof of identity for the owner or company, such as a passport or corporate registration documents
• A detailed description of the vessel, including its dimensions, construction materials, and equipment
• Proof of insurance for the vessel
• A certificate of compliance with safety and environmental standards

Yes, a yacht can be registered in France as a commercial vessel, which means it will be used for commercial activities such as chartering or transporting paying passengers. The registration process for a commercial vessel will be similar to that of a privately-owned vessel, but may require additional documentation, such as a certificate of commercial use.

Documents submitted for French flag registration of a yacht must be in French language. If the original documents are not in French, they must be translated by a professional translator who is certified by the French government.

The boat's registration process takes about 30 days.

No, the provisional document is not issued.

The French flag registration for a yacht will include the following information:

• The name of the vessel
• The registration number assigned by the French Maritime Affairs agency
• The type and size of the vessel
• The name and address of the owner or company
• The date of registration

The French registration is valid for the lifetime.

Under French regulations, yachts under 24 meters in length and not intended for commercial use are not required to undergo a survey as part of the registration process. However, they will still need to comply with safety and environmental standards and may be subject to an inspection to ensure compliance.

Once a yacht is registered under the French flag, the owner or company is required to always fly the French flag on the boat while the vessel is in international waters and in the waters of any foreign country. This is to indicate that the vessel is registered in France and is subject to French laws and regulations.

It is possible to register a kayak or jet ski under the French flag.

Yes, you are required to provide the following documents:

• Proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or registration certificate
• Proof of identity for the owner or company, such as a passport or corporate registration documents
• A detailed description of the vessel's radio equipment, including the manufacturer, model, and serial number
• A certificate of compliance with safety and environmental standards
• Proof of compliance with the French maritime communication authority regulations.

The type of license required to sail a vessel depends on the type and size of the vessel, as well as the waters in which it will be operated. In France, the following licenses and qualifications are required for different types of vessels:
Pleasure craft: For vessels under 15 meters in length and not used for commercial purposes, no license is required. However, the skipper must have knowledge of the rules of the sea and navigation.
Coastal skipper: For vessels between 15 and 24 meters in length and used for commercial purposes, the skipper must hold a Coastal Skipper license. This license is issued by the French maritime authorities and requires the skipper to have knowledge of the rules of the sea and navigation, as well as experience in handling larger vessels.
Master of Yachts: For vessels over 24 meters in length, the skipper must hold a Master of Yachts license. This license is issued by the French maritime authorities and requires the skipper to have knowledge of the rules of the sea and navigation, as well as experience in handling larger vessels and a good understanding of the commercial operation of the vessel.

The process typically involves:

• The new owner must fill out an application form providing information about the vessel, the previous and new owner, and the reason for the transfer of ownership.
• The new owner must provide documentation such as the bill of sale or transfer of ownership agreement, and the previous registration certificate.
• The new owner must pay any fees associated with the transfer of ownership, such as the transfer fee and any taxes.
• Depending on the size and type of the vessel, the French Maritime Affairs agency may require an inspection or survey to ensure that the vessel follows safety and environmental standards.

To apply for deregistration of a yacht from the French flag, please provide us the following:

• The owner or company must provide documentation such as the registration certificate, proof of ownership, and any other documents as required by French maritime regulations.
• The owner or company must pay any fees associated with the deregistration, such as the deregistration fee and any taxes.
• The owner or company must remove the French flag from the vessel and return the registration certificate to the French Maritime Affairs agency.

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