The Balearic Islands allow charter for non-EU flagged boats

After various meetings between the relevant authorities and the Nautical Trade Association in the Balearic Islands (AENIB), supported by ANEN, the Directorate General of the Ports and Airports, as part of  the Department of Tourism and Sports, has published a Circular Letter 1/2014, dated 26th of August, which allows charter activity for non-EU flagged boats, provided an authorisation is applied for beforehand. The circular specifies the requirements the non-Eu flagged vessels have to comply with in order to get a recreational charter license.

Non-EU flagged yachts will be permitted to provide nautical charter if they are above 14 m in length and it can be demonstrated that EU flagged charter yachts with similar characteristics are not available. The owners of the yachts have to comply also with the rest of the industry requirements, like fiscal obligations and issues related to safety at sea etc. The obtained charter licence will have to be renovated on an annual basis.

With a publication of the above mentioned document the door is finally open  for the non EU flagged yachts to charter in the Balearic Islands, which up until now was not allowed, and which surely will generate more nautical activity on our islands.

Bear in mind that EU flagged yachts now only need to present a statement of compliance without having to apply for an authorisation beforehand, as a result of the Instruction 1/2014, dated 24th of January this year. It was another modification carried out by the Directorate General, implementing the Directive 123/2006 CE by the European Parliament and Council, dated 12th of December, relating to services in the internal market for which necessary general regulations are established in order to facilitate freedom of location for service providers and free movement of services  for the majority of economic activities.