Yacht Registration in Malta

Malta is a small island country in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, with excellent natural shrouded harbors for yachts. The official languages are Maltese and English - that is highly convenient. Malta is a full member of the EU, the currency is the Euro. Malta's ships register is the largest in Europe and the 6th largest in the world. Recently, the demand for registration of superyachts has increased dramatically in Malta. As a result, large investments in marinas for megayachts have begun. Malta has become one of the most popular port of registry for boats in the EU. The Maltese flag is a respected flag for new and comfortable yachts.

The ship registration process in Malta is divided into two steps. The first step is obtaining a provisional registration and a radio license for a period of 6 months. The second step is to obtain the registration and radio license (MMSI and Call Sign) with the possibility of further renewal once a year, and so 10 years long.

Registration of Pleasure Yachts
up to 24 Metres & 50 Tons

The first step: obtaining a provisional registration + radio license

Documents Required for Boat Registration

1. The scan of the signed Application Form, where it is necessary to provide detailed information about the yacht and its owner, technical characteristics of the boat, sailing area, proposed name of the vessel, owner’s contact details, etc. We will provide such form and will help you to complete it.

2. Yacht Documents: CE Certificate of the yacht, Yacht Manual and etc.

3. Ownership document for the yacht:
- Builders Certificate for new boats,
- if the vessel was bought, then the Bill of Sale, Sales Agreement, Invoice, etс.

4. Deletion Certificate issued by previous boat register, if the yacht was registered earlier.

5. Notarized and apostilled copy of the passport of the yacht owner (page with photo) or ID card. Registration is available only for citizens of the EU countries, plus for citizens of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, hereinafter referred to as “EU+”.

6. If the owner of the yacht is a company, we will need the copies of all corporate documents of the company (Certificate of Incorporation, M&AoA, Appointment of the director, Share Certificates, etc.), including a copy of the director's and shareholder’s passport. If the documents are more than 6 months old, an up-dated extracts from the Register is required (Certificate of Good Standing, etc). The documents must be in English, notarized and apostilled. Registration is possible only for companies from the EU+ countries, companies from other countries should be approved by Malta Ship Registry first.

The second step: obtaining a flag registration for a period of 1 year

For permanent pleasure yacht registration, the following documents should be submitted to the yacht register within 6 months:

- the original of the Builders Certificate for new boats,
- the original of a Bill of Sale if the vessel was bought,
- the original of the Survey Certificate,
- duly signed Carving and Marking Note,
- the original of Deletion Certificate, if the yacht was registered under different flag before,
- to give back the original of the Provisional Certificate.

At the end of registration formalities, you’ll get a Certificate from Malta Ship Registry, valid for one year from the date of issue.

Registration of Private Yachts Over 24 Meters

More documents are required for the yachts more than 24 meters with gross tonnage more than 50 tons. For example:

• - Safe Manning Certificate,
• - International Antifouling Certificate,
• - International Tonnage Certificate for Malta,
• - International Load Line Certificate.

Also, the government fees to the register are higher. The larger the yacht, the greater the requirements for its registration. Therefore, boats larger than 24 meters in length are considered individually. E-mail us and we’ll readily start working with you.

Yacht Registration for Commercial Use

Any type of commercial vessel – from a small pleasure yacht to a huge oil rig – can be registered in Malta.

• For permanent registration you should provide as follows:
• - International Tonnage Certificate for Malta,
• - Certificate of Survey for Malta,
• - the original of the Bill of Sale (with a date prior to provisional registration),
• - the original of the Builders Certificate,
• - Deletion Certificate (if any),
• - Carving and Marking Note,
• - to give back the original of the Provisional Registration Certificate.

Registration of a commercial vessel is considered on an individual basis only. E-mail to us and we will study your tasks.

Registration of Maltese flags is made by the government body called Transport Malta. All types of vessels, from pleasure yachts to passenger cruise ships and tankers, can be registered under the Maltese flag.

The Maltese flag is attractive for yachts that sail in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Registration of the Maltese flag is more convenient for the boats that are in the EU.

For yachts that are located outside Malta, a survey inspection is required. We will help you find a good survey company.

To register the Maltese flag, the owner of the yacht or his representative should come to registry in Malta for signing the documents. We’ll arrange the meeting with a Maltese agent (Maltese lawyer) for you as well. A Maltese resident agent is necessary, all communication between the owner of the yacht and the register goes through the agent.

Modern, under 10 years old yachts are the most wanted. For yachts older than 15 years, extra checks are required. Vessels of 25 years or more are not-welcomed, we avoid taking such registrations.

Malta has various tax benefits. But, the tax legislation of your country must be fully complied. All taxes in your country must be paid up. If the yacht is expensive, it is better to consult an auditor in your country. Remember that modern and expensive yachts are under the spotlight of the Tax Authorities.

Provisional registration takes 3-5 days, assuming that all documents fit the register.

A yacht registered under the Maltese flag can run within the European Union without time limits, no additional documents are required.

Ship register in Malta provides urgent services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Maltese flag is premium one!

Interesting Facts

The Knights of Malta or the Knights Hospitaller go hand in hand with the history of Malta.

Today’s Merchant Flag of Malta - the flag of the Knights of Malta with a white border - is used on yachts as the Maltese state flag.

Who are the Maltese Knights Hospitaller and how did they land in Malta?

The order of the Knights Hospitaller is the oldest organization that exists to these days, in 2013 it celebrated its 900th anniversary. The annual budget of the organization is about 200 mln. Euro. The order has observer status at the United Nations.

In 1530, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V, gave to keep Malta to the Knights Hospitaller for a token payment - one falcon for hunting per year.

In 1798, Napoleon forced out the order from Malta. After that, the hospitallers moved to Russia, to the city of St. Petersburg and elected the Russian Emperor Paul I as the Grand Master of the order.

But, as a result of the palace coup, Paul I was killed, the order lost its protectorship, and the headquarters of the order moved to Rome, where it is still located.

Summary of Maltese Flag