Boat registration in Spain is required when a Spanish vessel is owned by either an individual or a company in Spain.
Investors who open a company in Spain to engage in international trade, maritime shipping, or logistics can benefit from registering a boat in Spain and conducting their operations from a strategic Spanish port.
The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Movement in Spain keeps the Ship Registry and the Special Register of Ships and Shipping Companies.
If you own a ship in Spain, either as a company or as an individual, and are interested in boat registration in Spain, our team can give you additional details.
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What ships need to be registered in Spain?
In principle, all ships that originate from Spain, or are bought by a Spanish citizen from abroad and brought into the country will be registered. This also applies to companies that will be adding ships to their fleet to engage in their specific business activities.
Registering a boat in Spain is subject to requirements and the owner will make the registration according to the vessel’s category.
Ships that are under construction are also registered in Spain, as well as ships in service and pleasure boats.
Some of the types of ships that are registered include:
- training ships;
- dredges;
- marine research vessels;
- rescue and firefighting vessels;
- general cargo;
- passenger vessels;
- cargo/passenger
- cruise ships;
- tankers (various types), and others.
The first four types are considered special types of ships, while the others included on the list are transport ships.
What is the registration process for pleasure boats?
Recreational boats in Spain need to be registered according to their category. As previously mentioned, there are various types of vessels that can be recorded in Spain, and they are formally divided into nine categories. A pleasure vessel will fall under the 6th or 7th category and will be registered as such.
A special regime applies to pleasure/recreational vessels with a length equal to or less than 12 meters. In some cases, these are exempted from registration, but only when the boat and its propulsion equipment have a CE marking.
Are company-owned vessels registered in Spain?
A registration process is also in place for the vessel owned by a Spanish company. In this case, the boat will usually be listed under the 8th category. If you are an entrepreneur who will set up a company in Spain and will purchase a ship for the purpose of business, our team can give you the needed details on the registration of your vessel.
Before they start the process of registering a boat in Spain, vessel owners will apply for the pre-registration of their recreational boat.
Spain also has a historic ship registry and vessels and their unique reproductions can be registered accordingly.
Spain maritime statistics
According to the UN Trade and Development, Spain’s key maritime figures in 2022 were the following:
- the country had 499 ships in its fleet under the national flag, propelled seagoing merchant vessels of 100 GT and more;
- there were 24,487 seafarers;
- shipbuilding stood at 47,400 gross tons;
- ship recycling (for propelled seagoing merchant vessels of 100 GT and more) stood at 3,215 gross tons;
- the country has a cost-per-area ratio of 14.5 m/km2.
In addition to services related to company formation in Spain, our team can assist with other procedures and services, as may be the case for local and foreign investors. Upon request, our accountants in Spain will give you more details about their services.
Contact us if you have any questions about boat registration in Spain and if you require personalized assistance for company incorporation in Spain.