Change of ownership of a second-hand boat

We explain how to transfer ownership of a second-hand boat in just a few steps. At Asturnáutica, we can handle this process for you so that you don’t have to worry about the paperwork.

The procedure for transferring ownership of a vessel must be carried out whenever a vessel is sold, once the contract of sale has been finalised and the vessel has been handed over to the buyer, who is now the new owner.

In this case, the first thing the Harbour Master’s Office requires is the contract of sale, stamped by the tax authorities and with the transfer tax paid. To do this, you must complete the following procedure at the tax office.

Documents to be submitted to the tax office

  1. Sales contract (original and copy)
  2. Buyer’s and seller’s ID
  3. Transfer tax (three pages), stamped and paid.
  4. The vessel’s ‘Spanish Maritime Register’ certificate (original and copy)
  5. Vessel's certificate of seaworthiness (original and copy)

Once you have submitted this to the tax office, they will immediately give you the signed and stamped contract of sale that you need to submit to the Harbour Master’s Office.

Documents requested by the Harbour Master’s Office

  1. Sales contract stamped by the tax authorities
  2. The vessel’s “Spanish Maritime Register” certificate
  3. Application for a change of ownership of the vessel
  4. Fee 790/025 paid
  5. Buyer’s and seller’s ID

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Changes in ownership

The transfer must be notified to the relevant authority, for the purposes of processing the change of ownership, within a maximum period of three months (Article 54 of Royal Decree 1027/89).

Before buying a second-hand boat, it is highly recommended that you request a copy of the vessel’s registration certificate. This document details all the administrative procedures carried out throughout the boat’s history, from the time it was first registered to the present day. The certificate will show any liens or seizures the boat may be subject to prior to purchase, helping you to avoid any unpleasant surprises after the sale.

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