Malta Yacht Registration

Malta is the leading European flag for superyachts. As an EU member state with a well-established maritime administration, it is preferred by European banks for financing and is a popular choice for yachts that charter in the Mediterranean.

Jaffa & Co advises owners, buyers and lenders on Malta yacht registration, both for privately used yachts and for yachts operating commercially under the Maltese flag.

Why owners choose the Malta flag

• A European flag. Preferred by European banks for financing and widely used by charter yachts.
• White List status. Malta adheres to the highest international regulations.
• Ideal for EU residents. A natural fit for owners based in Europe.
• Cost-effective crew social charges. An advantage when hiring and retaining crew.
• Port of registry. Valletta.

Is the Malta flag right for your yacht?

Malta is often the right answer for EU-resident owners and for yachts that will charter in European waters, where a European flag is preferable. It is also a flag lenders know well, which can make financing more straightforward. A yacht that is to charter must comply with Malta’s commercial yacht code, and we coordinate with the yacht’s managers and surveyors to make sure she does.

It is worth remembering that the flag and the VAT status of a yacht are separate questions. Flying the Maltese flag does not make a yacht VAT-paid. Owners who want to account for VAT can do so in Malta, or spread payments over time under the Maltese leasing scheme, but the structure must be set up correctly from the outset, usually with the purchase completed in international waters.

How we help

• Advising on the owning structure and the VAT position
• Reviewing the yacht’s title history and technical documentation
• Deleting the yacht from her previous registry and registering her in Malta
• Registering mortgages for European lenders
• Advising on commercial registration and charter