To enter Spanish waters and enjoy a prime superyacht destination, you will be required to have certain documents on board. Spain is a prime destination for superyachts all year round – whether you are visiting for pleasure cruising with guests onboard, participating in a regatta or show or booked into a shipyard or marina for refit or maintenance purposes. One of the main factors to consider is if the vessel is coming from another EU port or from a country that is signed up to the Schengen agreement.

At Evolution , we have in-house experts for clearance procedures no matter what the last or arriving port may be. Here yo have some key pointers regarding essential documentation for arriving to Spanish waters:

Schengen requirements for crew

If you are arriving to Spain by yacht from a non-EU country, you will need to check all the passports of your crew at immigration.

Valid passport:

Make sure that the passports of all crew members are valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.

Schengen visa:

Non-EU/EEA passport holders whose home countries do not have an agreement for visa-free travel to the Schengen zone should have a valid Schengen visa .

Yacht documentation:

Before entering Spanish waters, your yacht must comply with international and Spanish maritime regulations . Below are the principal documents that most ports will ask for but there may be variations depending on the authorities:

• Yacht registration: Proof of ownership of the yacht, including the original registration certificate and a copy of the yacht’s current insurance policy.
• Crew list: A detailed list of all current signed-on crew members, with their full names, dates of birth, passport numbers and duties on board including joining date.
• Captain Certifications/crew certification: Validated maritime certification for the captain and crew accordingly to the vessel’s safe-manning requirements.

Customs declaration:

It’s always a good idea to check out any future operations in the EU involving non-EU vessels planning to sail in the Mediterranean. You would need to keep a cargo manifest according to your flag requirements. Also we recommend to keep detailed records of all purchases , whether they’re from the EU or not. These records could be invoices, receipts, or any other documents related to purchase transactions.

Yacht Safety Certificate:

The Yacht Safety Certificate serves as proof of compliance with safety regulations , including a safety equipment checklist, life raft certificates and fire safety measures. It is also important to note that sanitary control is a crucial aspect of this certification.

Additional documentation

Depending on how long you’re staying and what country you’re in, you might need to submit some extra paperwork.

• If your yacht is registered outside the EU, you might need a temporary import permit . This is a very useful document for non-VAT paid vessels to officially record the date of entry into EU waters.
• If you exported your vessel when you left EU waters, you’ll need to file reimportation paperwork when you come back.

With our own in-house legal and customs teams , Evolution is your one-stop agency for all your arrival formalities and queries about crew and vessel documentation for cruising in EU waters. If you have any concerns or questions, just drop us a line at customs@evolutionagents.com .

Contact our expert team at Evolution and we’ll make sure you have all the info you need to plan a great, stress-free visit to Spanish waters with your superyacht.

Evolution Yacht Agents is the leading-edge team of professionals dedicated to providing assured and quality support and services to yachts in Spanish waters. A full range of superyacht specialized services includes: charter license & legal advice, TPA (Vat exemption), customs & logistics operations, provisions & interior supplies, deck & engineering supplies and crew & VIP services.