Franch flag

Who can register a boat under the French flag?

The French government has stipulated that an EU resident can register his vessel in its registry but he must be a French citizen with residence in France and own at least 50% of the vessel.
However, even if you are not a French citizen, you can ask our agency for domiciliation at the address of our partners operating in that country.

How much does it cost to register my boat under the French flag?
Costs vary based on boat size, nationality and whether new or used.
If you fill in our “quote” form with boat and owner details, we can offer to email you an exact cost quote to register your boat in France.
If you decide to register, we handle all the paperwork and filing
Government taxes will be paid directly by you to the French authorities.

In France there are three types of registers:
register 1 (for fishing and national trade), the French international register (RIF) and the Wallis and Futuna register (usually granted to cruise ships).

Do I have to pay annual taxes if I register my boat in France?
If you decide to register your boat in France you have to pay annual taxes based on the length and characteristics of the engine;

Boats up to 7 meters or if the engine power is less than 22 administrative horsepower (about 200hp of the engine) DO NOT pay tax
7.01 meter boats pay tax on registration or if the engine power is greater than 22 administrative horsepower (approximately 200 engine hp).

How is the exact fee calculated for my boat if registered in France?
Many factors are used to calculate boat tax in France.
These include; the type of use, the length of the boat, the type of engine, the type of fuel, etc. All these details are used to calculate the exact amount of tax payable. The annual fee on a jet ski is simpler and explained below.

To register under the French flag you must meet a number of conditions:

Half of the ownership of the vessel must be owned by citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area.
Its use must be managed and controlled by a permanent establishment located on French territory.
It must have been built in the European Union or import taxes must have been paid upon import into the EU.
If your boat has crew; they must be citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area in a minimum proportion of 35% calculated on the basis of the workforce sheet.

Do I need to go through security visits to register my boat under the French flag?
You don't need a safety visit if your yacht is less than 24 meters long and you are not looking for a commercial registration.

How long does it take to register my boat under the French flag.
The procedure takes from 2 to 4 weeks to obtain registration.

What documents did I need to register my boat in France?

Passport or ID card (copy)
Proof of residence (copy)
Bill of sale (copy)
CE certification of the boat (copy)
Certificate of cancellation (original)
Obtain for us your boat log (original and provided by us)

Below is the list of French ports of registration and their acronyms: