"Buying a yacht is a company transaction. We treat it that way."
Flags, VAT, crew payroll and financing for yachts and private aircraft — coordinated with your family office or holding company.
How we work with yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners.
Buying a yacht or private jet is a company transaction, and we treat it that way. The flag, the VAT, the owning company, crew payroll and financing are all designed together, before the yacht leaves the shipyard.
The flag matters. It decides whether you can charter commercially, crew licensing, which ports you can use, your insurance cost and the resale market. The right flag is the one that fits how you'll use it and where you live — not the cheapest.
Every job is led by an adviser and coordinated with your broker, family office or holding company. We don't sell insurance, financing or brokerage — we design the structure and coordinate the people who do.
What we've seen go wrong.
- Registering under a flag that doesn't allow commercial charter, then finding you can't legally offset costs with charter income
- Skipping a VAT-efficient import and paying full VAT at the first EU port
- Owning a yacht or aircraft personally, then finding out about the liability, insurance and inheritance consequences after buying
- Borrowing from a lender that won't accept the chosen flag or company — and restructuring in the middle of the purchase
The steps, in order.
Every engagement is specialist advisory, quoted in writing before any work begins. No hourly billing.
- 01How you'll use it, choosing the flag and designing the owning company (2–3 weeks)
- 02VAT and importing, setting up the owning company, flag registration and coordinating the financing
- 03Crew or pilot licensing, insurance, appointing a management company
- 04A yearly calendar for compliance, surveys and refits
Questions we hear from yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners.
- Which flag for a superyacht?
- Cayman (a British Red Ensign flag) for larger private yachts worldwide. Malta or the Isle of Man for commercial charter in Europe. The Marshall Islands for private use on a budget. It depends on where you'll cruise, your crew and whether you'll charter.
- How does EU VAT work on yachts?
- Options include fully importing through an EU country with a lower rate, temporary admission for owners who live outside the EU (up to 18 months), or a commercial leasing structure. Each has trade-offs on flexibility, resale value and ongoing compliance.
- Which aircraft register for private jets?
- The Isle of Man (M-) and Cayman (VP-C-) are the premium private registers. Aruba (P4-) and San Marino (T7-) are strong alternatives. The US (FAA N-) is used by owners with US ties. The choice depends on where you live, your financing and where the aircraft is maintained.
Explore further for yacht, aircraft & marine asset owners
Jachten en vliegtuigen registreren
Kies de vlag, het register en de eigendomsconstructie voor uw jacht of privéjet.
Bedrijfsstructurering
Bedrijvengroepen in meerdere landen: holdings, bedrijven die uw intellectuele eigendom bezitten, joint ventures en het verplaatsen van een bedrijf naar een ander land.
Trusts en stichtingen
Trusts die het vermogen van uw familie beschermen en doorgeven, in alle gangbare vormen, plus stichtingen in Panama en Nevis.
Elke opdracht begint met een adviesgesprek van twintig minuten. Voordat het werk start, ontvangt u de prijs schriftelijk. Wij rekenen geen uurtarief.