Yacht clubs and owning a boat in Portugal

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For a country whose entire west side backs onto the ocean, it is perhaps little wonder so many expats moving to the nation are keen on making the most of life on the waves.

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Joining a yacht club in Portugal offers numerous advantages for those seeking to immerse themselves in the local sailing culture – and build up connections with like-minded expats.

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Alongside access to facilities, including marinas, boat storage, and maintenance services, membership provides an opportunity to connect with fellow sailors who share a passion for the open water.

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From regattas and races to educational workshops and social events, yacht clubs provide valuable social and leisure activities.

Clubs may allow both beginners and those with prior sailing experience to join.

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Clube Naval de Cascais:

Based by the Cascais marina, on the outskirts of Lisbon, the yacht club hosts a number of events for new and experienced sailors, as well as mooring space.

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The club also has meeting and dining rooms available to rent out for corporate or social events.

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Membership can be acquired by getting in contact with the club or someone at the club who can refer you.

In addition to sailing, the club offers scuba diving opportunities.

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Clube Naval de Sesimbra

On the Sesimbra marina, the club offers a selection of training courses and events for newcomers to the hobby.

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A selection of sailing and water sports are hosted. Marina mooring is available on weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, as well as by season.

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Members have access to both the sauna and training room. The club also hosts deep sea fishing, with an internationally acclaimed team.

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Owning a sailing boat or yacht in Portugal

Those looking to become a boat owner in Portugal will need to ensure they adhere to regulations.

Whilst in the UK you don’t need a licence for a private vessel in coastal waters, an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) is required.

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The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in the UK can help you with the ICC test, which usually takes between one and three days to complete. You can be fined for not having the appropriate documents.

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The Autoridade Marítima Nacional (National Maritime Authority) can also issue you a licence for Portugal.

There are no specific visa requirements for boat ownership, so whether you are on a Golden Visa, D7, or any other visa, you will be ready to take to the sea.

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Portugal has a large boat market, so you won’t have any trouble finding sailboats, motor yachts, or power boats.

Buying a boat outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) will see you incurring a 23% VAT charge, in addition to import duty of 2%. It's worth noting the VAT and import duty is based on the valuation in Portugal, not on what you paid for it.

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Once you have your boat, mooring costs are typically in the region of €5,000 per year.

You can also buy a permanent mooring spot for upwards of €50,000, depending on the size of the vessel.

Some yacht clubs will offer discounted mooring for members.

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Luxury Marinas in Portugal

Mainland Portugal has an array of marinas and yacht harbours, most notably in the Algarve, with large marinas in Faro, Vilamoura and Portimão overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

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The islands off Portugal, including Madeira and Azores, are perfect locations for boat owners who are looking for an escape and also offer yacht clubs.

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Marinas are a hub for sailing enthusiasts in Portugal, and their picturesque surroundings are home to a wide selection of restaurants and bars.

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