🧾 Taxes and legalities when buying a new or second-hand boat

Jun 16
2 min read

Buying a boat, whether new or second-hand, is an exciting experience... but it also requires attention to the fiscal and legal aspects that accompany this type of investment. At Five Seasons Yachting, we not only help you find the perfect boat, but we also guide you through every legal step of the process.

Below, we explain the main taxes and requirements you need to take into account when buying a boat in Spain.

⚖️ 1. VAT (Value Added Tax)

New boats: subject to 21% VAT if purchased from a supplier within the European Union.
Second-hand boats: if bought from a private individual, they generally do not carry VAT, although they may be subject to Transfer Tax (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales, ITP), normally 4-8%, depending on the autonomous community.

🏷️2. ITP (Property Transfer Tax)

Applies if you buy a second-hand boat from a private individual resident in Spain.
The taxable amount is the actual value of the boat, not necessarily the purchase price.
This tax is settled in the buyer's autonomous community.

🏛️ 3. Registration and flagging

If the vessel is to be used in Spanish waters, it must be registered in one of the lists of the Buque Registration:
- List 6: private use
- List 7: rent or lease
For new boats, the EC certificate of conformity is also required.
If you are bringing a vessel from abroad, you must arrange for flagging and payment of import duties, if applicable.

🚢 4. ITV Nautical and technical documentation

All registered vessels must undergo periodic technical inspections (similar to the MOT for vehicles).
You will also need to be up to date:
- Certificate of seaworthiness
- Compulsory civil liability insurance
- Licence or corresponding nautical qualification

🌍 5. What if I buy the boat outside Spain?

If you buy in an EU country, you will have to prove payment of VAT or be exempt as an intra-Community transaction.
In case of import from outside the EU, applies:
- Customs duty (normally 1.7%)
- Import VAT (21%)

✅ Recommendation: get expert advice

Although many procedures can be done on your own, having professional advice ensures that everything is in order from day one. At FiveSeasons we help you with: