Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration

Thank you for your interest in the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration. This is the highest level of boat registration The Netherlands has to offer. This boat registration gives your boat or yacht the formal Dutch nationality. It is issued by the Dutch Ministry of Transport and the Dutch government in the name of our head of state, the King of the Netherlands.

With this formal and top quality yacht registration, your boat or yacht can sail to any country in the world, giving you a warm welcome, without any problem.

We also provide boat registrations, registered under other nationalities. Such as the highly respected UK part 1 Registration (British flag) or the popular and affordable Polish boat registration. You can compare boat registrations to see which boat registration suits your needs.

Benefits of a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration

  • Fully accepted by the nautical authorities and government of any country in the world
  • Yacht gets the formal nationality of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and which is issued by the Dutch government in name of the King
  • Only 1 initial “non technical” inspection for marking and carving of the yacht
  • No recurring annual inspections of the yacht
  • No yacht taxes
  • No demands or annual inspections on flares and life saving electronics or equipment
  • Valid as long as the yacht owner decides – no end date
  • No limitation in miles from shore
  • CE certification is no issue for the issue of the registration
  • No questions asked about the VAT status of the yacht for the issue of the registration
  • Available for EU citizens or NON EU citizens in combination with an EU company
  • No third party insurance needed when making the registration request
  • Provisional registration available
Request Dutch Zeebrief boat registration
Boat registrations for non European citizens too

How does it work?

Do you need a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration? BlueWater Registration Services can apply the registration request for you. As we communicate entirely in English, we serve customers from all over the world. Of course we’d be happy to speak to you in Dutch too.

For a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration we need the following documents:

  • Copy of your notary legalized passport or ID card
  • Original Bill of Sale
  • In case of a previous registry, we also need a original copy of the deletion document

When applying for a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration, you just need to follow a few steps in our online registration process. When we have received the required documents, we will submit your information to request the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration.

The Dutch Cadastre will send their inspector on board of your boat or yacht for inspection and do the marking and carving. This is a one-time inspection. Please note that naturally, BlueWater Registration Services manages the entire process.

After completion, you will get send your boat registration by overnight courier.

Online registration

You can easily apply for your yacht registration online. The video below briefly explains how this works. For more information, please look at the ‘Online registration portal‘ page.

I do not have an European passport

Anyone can get an Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration. If you are not owning an European passport we can still request a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration for you. It is necessary that the ownership of the boat lies within Europe. This can be done by setting up an Irish Limited Company under your name of which you are the only owner. BlueWater Registration Services will arrange the whole process.

After we’ve created your new Irish Ltd., you prepare a new bill of sale to transfer the ownership of your boat or yacht to your new Irish Ltd. This way the ownership of your boat now lies within the EU.

Please note that the company, of which you are the only owner, will not be active and so you do not have to pay any taxes nor do you have any other obligations. You don’t even need an UK or Irish bank account. As we are an experienced company in the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief registrations, we have this entire process systematically figured out and available in a simple online registration form.

If you have any doubts, please read the feedback that we have been given by our satisfied customers from all over the world. You can read their personal experiences with our company on the bottom of this page (verified references by TrustPilot).

I do have an European passport

Do you have an European passport? Then we can register your boat or yacht at your own personal name.

Request Dutch Zeebrief boat registration
Required documents boat registration

How long does it take to get a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration?

When you apply for a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration via our online registration process, the period from applying till the actual boat registration takes around 4-6 weeks. In some cases this can even be a bit longer, depending on how busy the authorities are.

How much does a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration cost?

The registration itself
The Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration costs are € 1750,- . The necessarily one time inspection is not included and depends on the location of your boat or yacht. In Europe the average costs are in between € 750,- and € 1000,-. Naturally, BlueWater Registration Services manages the entire registration process.

Recurring annual costs after the first year are € 250,- and include all costs, fees, representation, domicile, fillings, etc.

Shown prices include all our services such as:

  • The national Certificate of Registry.
  • Certificate of nationality (Title) issued by the Dutch Government in name of the King
  • Registration of your yacht in the Dutch Cadastre
  • Tonnage Certificate for yachts till 24.00 meter
  • For yachts over 24 meters, the owner has to arrange the document himself by an approved classification company which has a branch in The Netherlands
  • All Dutch authority fees
  • All Dutch taxes
  • 1 year domicile and representation in The Netherlands for your yacht
  • Handling & Administration
  • Shipment by overnight courier

Protect your boat or yacht with Microdots
If your yacht gets stolen and found again, you need to prove that the boat or yacht is rightfully yours. This can be done with Microdots on which you can read more in our blog about protecting your boat or yacht. Additional microdots can be ordered for € 350,-.

What documents are required for a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief boat registration?

During the online registration process for a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief boat registration, we require the following documents:

  1. Owner’s identity in case of a private individual or proof of identity of all directors in case of a company. This type of boat registration requires a notarized passport.
  2. Proof of ownership / sale agreement (invoice, bill of sale or notary statement)
  3. In case of a previous registry, we require a copy of the deletion document
  4. In case the yacht is over 24 meters the owner needs to provide an ITC69 Certificate himself. This has to be done by an approved classification company. You can find a the list of approved classification company’s here: https://www.ilent.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-organisaties-zeevaart/documenten/publicaties/2021/12/06/overzicht-erkende-klassenbureaus

Please note: all documents need to be written in English. If the documents are not in English a translation of these documents needs to be provided. This can be done by you, the yacht owner or a formal translator.

Bill of Sale Generator tool

We have a free Bill of Sale Generator tool available. This tool helps you to create a new Bill of Sale for your yacht. After completing the data you can submit it. We will then check all information provided free of any costs. Once approved we wil create the new bill of sale and let you know how to download it.

Request Dutch Zeebrief boat registration

AIS & MMSI Radio License service

In case you also require an AIS & MMSI Radio Licence including ATIS, MMSI number and call sign, we can provide this within just 1 working day. The costs for this are € 250,- and can be easily and entirely requested online. In combination with a boat registration, you’ll profit from a € 100,- discount. When combined with a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief registration, you will receive a Dutch radio license with an official paper certificate. Read more information about our AIS & MMSI radio license service.

Registration procedure, we take care of the entire procedure!

  • Fill out our online form and upload all relevant documents
  • We check your paperwork and after approval of your order we send you our invoice, which can be paid by any major credit card or by bank transfer
  • The registration of your boat to sail with the highly respected Dutch flag begins! You will receive your registration certificate by overnight courier.

Trusted company with verified references

Please note that we are an experienced boat registration company with a service record of more than 10 years. We serve customers from all over the world. If you have any doubts, please read the feedback that we have been given by our satisfied customers. You can read their personal experiences with our company on the bottom of this page (verified references by Trustpilot).

Request Dutch Zeebrief boat registration

Frequently asked questions about Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration

What extra services does BlueWater Registration Services offer?

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.

How long is the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration valid?

The Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration does not have an expiration date. However it has yearly obligations concerning legal representation, Dutch address, taxes and fees. For this you will receive a yearly invoice.

What are the minimal safety equipment requirements to sail under the Dutch flag?

A life jacket for each person on board,
Lifebuoy with light,
Magnetic compass,
Navigation lights,
Boat horn and manual depth gauge,
Anchor,
Hammer,
Boat hook,
Bilge pump or bailer,
Sufficient number of oars,
At least 20 m of rope,
Waterproof, battery-powered torch,
Fire extinguisher,
Complete sail kit (for sail boats),
First-aid kit.

Is there a maximum boat length to make a successful Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration request?

No, there is no maximum boat length to make a successful request for the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration. For boats over 24 meters the boat owner has to provide himself the tonnage certificate which needs to be issued by a classification company which has an office in The Netherlands like Lloyds, Veritas, Rina, etc.

Can i terminate my boat registration or AIS & MMSI radio license any moment i want?

Yes, that is no problem at all. Just send us a termination request by email and based on the type of registration we will inform you the procedure. In most cases we need to receive back the original registration document to add to the termination dossier which we have to send to the nautical authorities. Once the termination has been processed you will receive a “proof of deletion” which you can use to make a new registration possible.

If a make a boat registration request, can i decide myself what will be my homeport?

Yes and no. Every type of registration offers a pre-selected list of homeports from which you can pick one of your choice. It is not possible to select a homeport which is not in the list.

Can your boat registrations be used around the globe?

Yes. You can use all of our registrations around the globe. However, when you will sail outside the European Union we strongly advise you to make choice of a boat registration which provides a nationality (Title) to your boat. The Dutch EU ICP Light Registration does not offer a nationality to your boat and is a ownership registration.

What are microdots?

Microdots are a unique way of identifying your yacht no matter where in the world it may end up in the event that it is stolen. They are invisible to criminals but can be detected by authorities. You can request a discount on your premium from your insurance company if you are making use of microdots.

Can the registration documents help in the return of the yacht in the event that it gets stolen?

Yes. Because the yacht is officially registered the chance that the yacht will be identified by the international police authorities became a lot bigger. With the Worldwide Zeebrief Registration you also benefit from the application of microdots on the yacht (optional). This is a unique and effective way to uniquely identify your boat.

Is it possible to register a home-built boat?

Yes, that is possible. But you have to provide us with the invoices of the main elements of the boat like hull, engine, mast, etc. Also we need some pictures of the construction of the boat and a tonnage certificate.

Can i register a yacht when it is not yet fully build?

Yes, that is possible. For this we need to receive a Builders Certificate with all details of manufacturer, boat owner and boat and engine details.

I am not a EU citizen. Can i make a boat registration in the European Union?

Yes! (except for Poland as it accepts any passport from any country) But to realize that we first have to create for you a simple “workaround” to make that possible. First we will create for you a dormant (sleeping) Limited company for which you are the only shareholder and director. Once this is completed you can create a new bill of sale on name of your new company. Then you are ready to make any boat registration in the European Union which we offer. We have done this construction already for thousands of boat owners!

Can i make changes in a boat registration after you have arranged the registration documents for us?

Yes that is possible. When for example a new engine will be installed in the boat it is important that the boat registration documents will be updated. For this you can send us a email with all old and new boat details. Based upon the type of registration we might request you to send us back the original registration document which we need to make the update. There are additional costs for a update of a registration.

Do i have to mark my boat with the homeport of my registration?

Yes, it is normal that you mark your boat with the homeport of your registration. Also it is many times required by the local nautical authorities in your sailing area.

Do i need to mark my boat with the registration number?

Yes, it is normal that you mark your boat with the provided registration number. Also it is many times required by the local nautical authorities in your sailing area.

Can the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration be used for commercial boat registration?

No, the Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration is only suitable for pleasure boat registrations!

Can you also register a boat which is owned by a company?

Yes, but this needs to be a EU company. Most used type of company is the Limited company. We can arrange an Irish or UK company for you. For this you can make a request on our website https://yachtregistration.company. Of course you are free to use any other type of EU company you want. In such case you have to provide English translations of the company documents.

Which documents i need to make a Dutch Worldwide Zeebrief Registration?

To make a Worldwide Zeebrief Registration we need a notarized passport of the yacht owner and a signed and stamped bill of sale. If a yacht is owned by EU company we also need the company documents and a notarized passport of the company’s director. Next to that you also have to sign the registration authorization which we provide to you. If the yacht is over 24 meters the yacht owner also has to provide a tonnage certificate issued by a classification bureau which has an office in The Netherlands like Lloyds, Veritas, Rina, etc. Next to that we also need a signed “Registration Authorization” which will be provided by us.