Flag – the choice matters

Imagine you’ve just become the owner of your dream yacht. An ocean of possibilities opens up before you. But before you set sail, there’s a decision that could save you tens of thousands of euros – or give you a headache. Under which flag will you sail? Choosing a flag isn’t just about patriotism or prestige. It’s a strategic move shaped by taxes, paperwork, and freedom of navigation. 

In this article, we’ll look at three registries for yachts up to 24 meters – Poland, Malta, and Gibraltar—so you can set the right course with no surprises. 

Poland – home flag with light formalities and low fees 

In August 2020, a new law on the registration of yachts and other vessels up to 24 meters came into force, bringing a host of surprising changes. Since then, the Polish flag has become very popular and now flies from masts in marinas all across the Mediterranean. What’s more, the number of yachts registered under the Polish flag has been growing year by year, making Poland an increasingly common choice among boat owners. 

Polish registration is issued without an expiration date – one of its key advantages. In many countries, vessel registration must be renewed periodically, often for an extra fee. In Poland, it’s lifelong, allowing owners to enjoy peace of mind for years without worrying about unnecessary formalities. 

Additionally, recreational yachts up to 15 meters are exempt from mandatory safety inspections and technical surveys. Recreational yachts over 15 meters, as well as all commercial vessels, must undergo safety inspections. For that reason, the Polish flag is especially attractive to owners of smaller boats, who don’t have to factor in extra costs for technical surveys. 

Importantly, the Polish flag doesn’t impose tonnage dues on owners. That’s a particularly favourable setup for large vessels, as such fees are tied to a ship’s tonnage – the bigger the yacht, the higher the charge. On this point too, Poland compares very favourably with solutions in other countries. 

The popularity of the Polish flag is a relatively new phenomenon, so it doesn’t yet carry the same “prestige” as the Maltese or British flags. But more and more owners are recognizing the benefits of Polish registration, appreciating its simple, user-friendly rules and the absence of unnecessary financial burdens. 

Malta – your prestigious key to the Mediterranean 

The process of registering under the Maltese flag is designed for convenience. Malta sets no age limits for vessels, but: 

• ships between 10 and 15 years old must undergo a technical inspection by an authorized surveyor either before or within one month of provisional registration;
• ships 15 years and older must undergo a technical inspection by an authorized surveyor before provisional registration. 

The first step toward permanent registration is a six-month provisional registration. During this period you can sail legally, but you’ll also need to assemble the full set of required documents. If you don’t make the deadline, you can apply to extend the provisional registration for another six months. 

After this, you move to permanent registration, which has no expiry but requires payment of an annual tonnage tax and other fees. With the Maltese flag there are no hard time limits – the flag stays with you as long as you meet the requirements – making Malta an attractive option for long-term owners. 

The Maltese flag is a prestigious mark of quality. As the largest maritime registry in Europe and one of the largest in the world, Malta enjoys a reputation as a ‘flag of confidence’ that is widely recognised and respected by port authorities. This ensures smooth flows and fewer administrative obstacles in international waters.  

High safety standards mean that insurers are keen to accept Maltese yachts, often offering lower rates. As a European Union flag, it gives access to EU waters without additional formalities. 

Gibraltar – a tradition of British sailing 

Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, attracts yacht owners not only with its strategic location at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, its reputation for high-quality registration, but also with the prestige of the British flag. As a member of the Red Ensign group, Gibraltar offers global recognition and flexibility, making it the ideal choice for shipowners seeking security without excessive bureaucracy. 

Yachts, regardless of age, can be registered with the Gibraltar Yacht Registry (GYR), but the basic requirement is a Tonnage Measurement Survey, carried out by one of six classification societies recognised by GYR. This means that the vessel doesn’t have to be inspected within Gibraltar jurisdiction. 

In Poland, only yachts with a hull length of over 24 meters are subject to this requirement, which makes it much easier to register a yacht up to 24 meters in length, especially since the dimensions can be certified by, for example, a CE declaration or a document prepared by the shipyard during the construction of the yacht. 

As with Malta, Gibraltar offers two types of registration – temporary and full. It starts with the former, which is valid for three months, with the possibility of extension to a maximum of six months. After that, you can move on to full registration, renewable for 12, 24, 48 or 60 months. 

The prestige of the flag comes with registration costs: 

• 232 GBP – application for yacht registration,
• 181 GBP – application for temporary yacht registration,
• 26 GBP – application for annual renewal of the registration certificate. 

The Gibraltar flag isn’t just a symbol – it is the prestige of the Red Ensign, recognised worldwide as a mark of high quality and compliance with international maritime standards, on a par with British registers. As part of the Red Ensign, it offers legal protection based on access to assistance from British embassies and consulates, easier insurance with lower rates, and freedom to sail in international waters without additional permits. 

Summary 

Choosing a flag for a yacht is not only a matter of symbolism, but also an important strategic element that affects costs, administrative formalities and sailing comfort. The Polish flag, thanks to its simple and advantageous solutions, is gaining popularity, offering shipowners indefinite registration, no tonnage taxes and minimal formalities.  

On the other hand, flags such as Malta and Gibraltar attract owners with their prestige and benefits related to high safety standards and flexibility in procedures.   

The choice of the right register depends on individual needs. In each case, it is worth considering all aspects in order to make the best decision that will ensure comfort and peace of mind on board.  

If you need help registering your yacht – contact us.