How To Cruise In Europe After Brexit

Keeping a boat in Europe has offered easy adventure and warmer climates, but as regulations after Brexit begin to take shape, this could all change. Lu and Rod Heikell look at what this means for cruising sailors

- Lu and Rod Heikell

If you keep your boat in Europe, you may well have a lot of questions about what Brexit will mean for you. As the end of the Brexit transition period looms into view and our time as EU citizens expires, there is an increased focus, and some panic, among cruisers whose yachts are based in EU countries. Here we will try to sort fact from myth and provide some guidance on what you need to do to stay within the rules.

The act of leaving the EU means that UK citizens lose the automatic right to free movement, to live and work wherever we choose in the EU, that we have enjoyed for many years. It also has tax implications for our boats; as part of the EU we enjoyed the customs union where no tax barriers existed. For most UK tourists the new limits do not affect their ability to take regular EU holidays, but for those who are accustomed to spending several months out on their boats in the Med, or those who have cast off for a longer term cruise, it needs careful consideration. The first thing to realise is that the boat and the person are regarded entirely separately. People are covered by immigration rules. The boat is governed by customs rules.

IMMIGRATION