Have you ever thought about leaving everything and sailing the seas by boat? If you are one of the lucky ones who has a recreational boat, you should know that just as there are some requirements to approve a camper van, the same happens if you want to make your sailboat your habitual residence. With the price of mortgages and rents at maximum levels, this can be an interesting way to escape the hustle and bustle of cities and settle near the sea.
Living on a boat allows its owners great freedom of movement, but on the other hand forces them to spend only on what is essential due to limited storage space. Getting a pleasure boat also requires a considerable initial investment, although, if it is less than 14 meters in length, in the long run it can be even cheaper than living in an apartment. Below, we explain all the bureaucratic aspects that you must take into account before transforming your lifestyle.
The Ports Law does not prevent you from converting a pleasure boat into your home. What owners are obliged to do is to request permission to moor in a port from the corresponding Port Authority or Maritime Captaincy. Likewise, you must contact the municipal office of the town hall in each case. The process may vary depending on the municipality or autonomous community where you want to establish yourself.
The cost of a standard mooring in a port ranges between 300 and 400 euros per month, although depending on the category this can increase up to 900 euros. These spaces include mooring to the dock and include electricity, water and other common services such as garages, showers or laundry. On the Spanish coast there are ports that are home to authentic floating neighborhoods.
When mooring in a port, the port authority may also require you to demonstrate your solvency and provide a copy of the payment of the mandatory civil liability insurance policy with which you must protect your boat. Apart from that, you will have to add the costs of fuel and groceries to your annual budget.
If you want to live on a sailboat, you must obtain a Recreational Boat Skipper’s license (PER) that allows you to travel. This boat license allows you to drive boats less than 24 meters in length, with no limit on engine power, that anchor a maximum of 12 miles off the coast. Between registration for the exam and the issuance of the title, the expenses to obtain the PER can amount to approximately 200 euros.
Buying a new sailboat entails paying 21% VAT (or, where applicable, IGIC, Canary Islands General Indirect Tax) and registration tax (IEDMT). If it is a second-hand boat, you will have to pay the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) instead. The owner must also bear the costs of registration and flagging before the corresponding Maritime District. Finally, sailboats are also subject to payment of the sports and recreational boat fee (T-5) and the maritime signaling fee (T-0).
