New Boating Taxes in Europe Highlighted by Irish Sailing & the EBA

29th November 2017

A new Greek boating tax could mean a cost of €16 per month for a 7 – 8 metre boat

Increased taxes on leisure boating are becoming more of a reality in European waters, according to Irish Sailing and the European Boating Association (EBA) that list two new taxes for 2018.

In Greece, for example, a tax on boating has been a possibility for a number of years, however recent communications indicate that it is increasingly likely that this tax will come to fruition in 2018.

In very basic terms this tax will see owners that keep their boats in Greece paying an amount based on the length of the boat which for a 7 – 8 metre boat is likely to be around €16 per month increasing to €8 per metre per month for boats of more than 12 metres in length.

Harry Hermon Irish sailing Harry Hermon represents Irish Sailing Interests at the EBA

Irish Sailing CEO Harry Hermon, who sits on an EBA committee to monitor EU legislation that could restrict boating activity, says: 'We're keeping a close eye on this [Greek tax] to try and ensure it doesn’t reach into Ireland'.

In a separate development, a significant increase to the Croatian Sojourn tax is planned for 2018 which will in the worst cases will increase by over 400% for an annual payment. The Sojourn Tax is payable by all boaters in Croatia and was last set in 2013 when Croatia acceded to the EU.

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Irish Sailing

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.