The ship registration process in Malta is a fairly simple process if you have the correct information and documentation. Malta Yacht Registrations can provisionally register your vessel within 2 to 3 days provided you provide the necessary documentation. This temporary registration is valid worldwide while your permanent registration continues.
Any person can own a yacht under the Maltese flag, but EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can register the yacht directly in their name, while others must register the yacht through a Maltese or foreign company.
The yacht owner is not required to reside in Malta or the EU; Place of residence is not important. If the yacht owner is not resident in Malta or the yacht is not owned by a Maltese company, the resident agent of the ship is acted upon.
This provides a major advantage over other EU shipping jurisdictions and does not generally require the person to reside in the relevant country. Additional documentation will need to be submitted to the Malta Ship Registry for permanent registration, but a period of 6 months will be allowed to comply. If all paperwork cannot be completed within 6 months, a 6-month extension may be requested to collect the necessary documents.
