VAT after 1,5 years

[Simon_Ivanov]

Hello!

I arrived in Azores in the beginning of January the 2014. The boat is registered in BVI and stays in Azores for almost a year already.
I've heard that after a year and a half I'll have to pay VAT for the boat. But also I can avoid paying the VAT if I leave EU for some time and then come back.
I Want to move the boat to Gibraltar this winter and then come back to Lisbon.

Does anybody know for how long I have to stay out of the EU to reset the VAT clock?

[Jeannius]

24 hours used to be enough but I know the rules are changing. Basically, the longer you are out of the EU the less likely the authorities are to take an interest in you.

[monte]

Just enough time to get a stamp or proof of the exit is fine. You could do it in an hour, or just stay in a marina for a night and keep the receipt. Check that gib is outside the vat zone though. I know it's out of schengen but not sure about the eu for tax. You may need to drop into morocco.

[Simon_Ivanov]

Is it specified somewhere by EU officials? Any documentary proof?

[Simon_Ivanov]

I heard that as Gibraltar is part of the EU (though outside the VAT area) any time spent there would be considered by EU Customs to be included in the 18 months TI period. Does anybody knows something about that?

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Simon_Ivanov

I heard that as Gibraltar is part of the EU (though outside the VAT area) any time spent there would be considered by EU Customs to be included in the 18 months TI period. Does anybody knows something about that?

Just go to Morocco.....Its only a few miles further and no doubts at all if it belongs to Europe or not. Job is then done.

[Kenomac]

Gibraltar is fine for heading out of the EU for a day. We did the same thing 18 months ago.

[valhalla360]

I've heard conflicting answers on Gibralter. In particular if you wind up in Spain at some point.

Given the short distance involved, I would take the short hop over the Morroco.

[Kenomac]

You're making it much more difficult and complicated than it really is. Stop in Gibraltar for the day and get a mooring receipt at Queens Way, they will provide all the appropriate paperwork you'll need... they do it all the time.

A stop in Morocco might come back to actually haunt you since some of northern Morocco is actually part of Spain. I believe most of the northern Moroccan marinas are actually in Spain, but you'll need to check which ones on your own. While in Gibraltar, fill up on the cheapest diesel in the Western Med, the savings will probably pay for you stay.

[terra57]

There is a Morrocan port just 5 miles south of Ceuta, Spain on the Med side.


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