Good morning. Yes, we got a long term visa while we were in Italy. We had a contract to stay at Marina de Ragusa in Sicily for the winter, and that sufficed to satisfy the officials ass to a residence in Italy. The marina was very helpful in writing a short note to the immigration officials that we had this contract and were staying in the marina. Also, the immigration officials in Ragusa were used to dealing with US citizens that were going through this process. This definitely made it easier.

I had a long message typed for you, but Cruisers Forum won't let me send it because it's too long. Send me an e-mail at swbrownn7 at gmail.com and I'll give you some more details.

Steve

Hi Steve, Hubby and I are about to leave Edmonton for France to pick up our new boat. We are planning on wintering in the med and are researching possibilities. Covid sure complicates this business! I read that you got a long-stay Italian visa for your winters that you spent in Sicily. Was that an easy process? Where did you apply? I’d love to hear about it.

I have a, perhaps unfounded, fear that if we get a long-stay residence visa in an EU country, that we will have to pay VAT on our boat. I would be interested to know what your ownership/tax circumstances were.