San Marino Yacht Registration

San Marino yacht registration is widely recognized and respected by maritime authorities around the world. As a European flag, it meets international maritime standards and is fully compliant with major conventions, including SOLAS and MARPOL where applicable.

Yachts flying the San Marino flag can navigate freely in international waters, enter foreign ports, and benefit from smooth clearance procedures just like vessels registered under other established European flags.

Because San Marino has a modern, transparent, and internationally aligned registry, port authorities are familiar with its documentation and legal framework. This strong level of acceptance, combined with fast processing and 5-year validity, makes San Marino one of the most attractive emerging flags in Europe for both private and commercial yacht owners.

BlueWater Registration Services assists with:

• Resident Agent appointment

• Company formation (if needed)

• Translation and legalization of documents

• MMSI and radio licensing

• Liaison with authorities and courier delivery

• Full application handling from start to finish

Some port authorities may scrutinize relatively new flags more closely. Commercial vessels must meet stricter compliance rules. Resident Agent and renewal fees apply for the duration of the registration.

• Very fast processing (provisional in 2 days)

• 5-year validity with easy renewals

• No survey required for private yachts under 24 m

• Open to all nationalities

• MMSI/radio licensing included in most packages

• Recognized and respected European flag

Yes. Registry information can be accessed through official channels. This ensures transparency for ownership verification and international recognition.

Some commercial vessels or special categories may fall under different maritime regulations. However, the San Marino yacht registry covers most recreational and commercial yachts.

The registry accepts documents in English or Italian. If your documents are in another language, you must provide certified translations.

We simply file a deregistration request and return the proper forms. A deregistration certificate will then be issued, allowing you to register under a new flag.

Yes. You can sell or transfer ownership by submitting a change-of-ownership application along with proof of sale and identity documents for the new owne

Yes. San Marino accepts larger yachts, but these must comply with additional technical and safety requirements, including surveys by recognized organizations.

Failure to report updates may lead to invalid documentation, administrative penalties, or issues during inspections or resale.

The vessel must display its name and Port of Registry (San Marino) clearly on the hull. The San Marino flag must also be flown in accordance with maritime regulations.

Yes. Any change in ownership, address, vessel specifications, or technical details must be reported to the registry to keep your registration valid.

Yes. Yachts above 1o meter require an MMSI number and radio license, which can be applied for at the same time as the registration. For yachts under 10 meters the MMSI radio license in San marino is optional while for yachts over 10 meters it is included in the registration package.

No formal proof of VAT payment is required by San Marino itself. However, EU or other local tax authorities may still request proof if you navigate in their waters.

Costs vary depending on yacht length, duration of registration, and service options. Smaller yachts under 10 m may start from a few hundred euros per year, while larger vessels or commercial registrations cost more. Resident Agent fees and optional services like MMSI licenses are added separately. Checkout our product page  https://www.yachtregistration.company/san-marino-yacht-registration/  for our most recent prices

Registration is typically valid for 5 years for private yachts. There are also 1-year registration options and straightforward renewal procedures. For yachts over 24 meters and commercial yachts also yearly costs apply.

Yes. Once you receive the provisional certificate, you are legally allowed to navigate under the San Marino flag while the permanent registration is being finalized.

Provisional registration can often be issued within 2 working days once all documents are complete. The permanent certificate is provided shortly after.

• Private yachts under 24 m: Usually no third-party inspection is needed; a self-assessment form is sufficient.

• Commercial or larger vessels: A survey by a recognized organization may be required, in line with San Marino’s yacht safety codes.

Typical documents include:

• Proof of ownership (bill of sale or builder’s certificate)

• Passport/ID or company incorporation documents

• Power of attorney (if using an agent)

• Deletion certificate from the previous flag (if applicable)

• Technical specifications

• Translations into English or Italian if required
  For private yachts under 24 m, a self-assessment replaces a formal survey.

Yes. San Marino allows both private and commercial use. Commercial yachts must comply with local safety codes and, depending on the vessel size and type, may need inspections or extra documentation.

San Marino accepts both recreational and commercial yachts under and over 24 meters. Private yachts under 24 m usually do not require surveys, while larger or commercial vessels follow additional safety and inspection rules.

No. Residency or citizenship is not required. Non-residents only need to appoint a Resident Agent in San Marino to handle formalities on their behalf and which we will provide to you.

Any individual or company — regardless of nationality — can register a vessel under the San Marino flag. Both private owners and companies are eligible, and non-residents simply appoint a San Marino Resident Agent to act as their local representative which we will provide to you.

BlueWater Registration Services handles:

• Company setup for non-EU owners

• Certified translations and legalizations

• MMSI applications

• Document checks to avoid delays

• Delivery of official certificates worldwide
  This saves time and ensures a smooth, compliant registration.

Yes, a San Marino commercial flagged yacht can be used for max. 90 days a year for private use. For this you can send a email to the San Marino nautical authorities who then will issue a statement for you!

Yes, you can legally perform bare boat charter activities with the San Marino yacht registration with a maximum of 84 days per year! You can download a document about it here: http://www.smsr.sm/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/211108-SMPL-2021-REG-017-1.pdf

When you register your yacht in San Marino, the VAT status of your yacht stay in tact and will not change!

Rina, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s, Turkish Lloyd, DNV and the American Bureau of Shipping are authorized by the San Marino nautical authorities to perform the ships in inspection in their name.

They are currently in the process of authorizing the rest of the IACS class societies.

It is also possible to make use of the UDICER survey network (www.udicer.eu)

All certificates irrespective of nationality are accepted, there are no restrictions.

STCW II/2 master, CoC from other countries who have ratified the STCW convention are all accepted

No, the mandatory documents are exactly the same as for a pleasure yacht. Only additional which needs to be done is have your yacht inspected by a authorized classification company to obtain the safety and technical certificates.

The mandatory documents are:

-Color scan copy of your passport or ID card
-Company documents if the yacht is owned by a company
-Bill of Sale or Builders Certificate
-Power of Attorney (we will provide that to you)
-Proof of deletion of the previous registry (when applicable)
-Previous International Tonnage Certificate (when available)
-Completed application forms (we will provide that to you)

For commercial trade the initial inspection is mandatory.
The inspection can be carried out by a San Marino R.O. or by an authorized surveyor.
The inspection is relevant to the compliance with the San Marino Small Yacht Safety Code and with the IMO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC2006).
Only yacht above 10 m ca be registered commercially in San Marino.

No, the San Marino authorities will receive the digital documents directly from the classification company’s.

Once we and the classification company have provided the full dossier to the San Marino nautical authorities the total procedure will take only 2 working days. This is the fastest procedure in the world.

The total procedure for a pleasure yacht registration will take only 2 working days. This is the fastest procedure in the world!

A San Marino yacht registration only needs to be renewed once per 5 years.

Yes, this is no problem but comes at additional costs