Yachts may be registered under the Malta flag by European Union citizens, European Free Trade Area Nationals or by legally constituted corporate bodies/entities irrespective of nationality.  Recently UK citizens have been added to the list of individuals who can register.

A European, EFTA National, UK citizen or a non-Malta company registering their yacht in Malta is known as an international owner.

An international owner must appoint a local resident agent in Malta – Flagport offers this service.

Private Registration – 6 metres in length or more.

Commercial Registration – 15 metres in length or more.

We will be able to provide you with an official Transcript of the Certificate of Malta Registry.

If there is any mortgage registered on subject yacht, same will be reflected on the Transcript.   The Transcript of Registry would also state the official full name and address of the yacht`s owners.

Compliance with the Malta Yacht Code – this is specifically intended for yachts engaged in commercial operations and which do not carry more than 12 passengers. This Code covers three categories of yachts:

∙ Yachts ≥ 15 m in length overall and < 24 m in length,

∙ Yachts ≥ 24 m in length and < 500 GT,

∙ Yachts ≥ 500 GT.

An Initial Survey is required prior to issuance of a provisional Certificate of Compliance.  All yachts covered by this Code are required to be surveyed, certified and maintained in accordance to their respective category requirements in order to maintain the validity of their Certificate of Compliance (which is valid for 5 years) to trade as Commercial Yacht.

Following this there would be periodic surveys (depending on the yacht category) to maintain the Certificate of Compliance.

Surveys can be carried out anywhere in the world so long as a Malta Appointed Ship Surveyor or Recognised Organisation (RO) is used.  We can assist with this coordination if so requested.

The Malta flag imposes no nationality restrictions when it comes to Master, Officers or Crew members.

The Malta flag is a reputable flag. The Malta registry is the sixth largest globally, the largest in Europe and is included on the Paris MoU White Flag list. Malta has a long maritime tradition, and the ship registry is, apart from reputable, internationally recognized.

• European Flag with a long maritime tradition
• Yachts can be registered irrespective of nationality.
• Provisional Malta yacht registration certificate can be normally issued in 2-3 working days.
• Low yacht registration and resident agent or company formation costs
• Progressive reduction in registration and tonnage tax for younger yachts
• No international restrictions for Masters, Officers and Crew
• No restrictions on sales or transfers of shares of a company owning Maltese ships.
• No restrictions on the sale and mortgaging of Maltese ships
• Marriages can be officiated onboard Maltese yachts

A provisional Malta Yacht Registration certificate can be issued in 2-3 days. This is a provisional certificate which is valid for six months. The provisional certificate can be extended (not exceeding the aggregate six months). During the provisional period, all documentation needs to be finalised and a permanent certificate of registry is issued thereafter.

The Malta Ship registry, Transport Malta, is available twenty-four hours, seven days a week. Flagport can be contacted via telephone during office hours but feel free to contact us here 24/7.