Buying, owning, operating, or chartering a yacht in Turkey involves complex legal, tax, customs, and regulatory considerations, particularly for foreign buyers and investors. Independent legal advice is essential to ensure that yacht transactions and operations are fully compliant with Turkish law and applicable international maritime regulations. Bıçak provides comprehensive legal services covering all aspects of yachting and superyachting in Turkey, acting exclusively in the legal interests of yacht owners, buyers, operators, and investors.

Why Legal Advice is Essential for Yachting in Turkey

Turkey is one of the world’s most active yachting hubs, with major marinas and shipyards located in Marmaris, Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye, Antalya, and Istanbul. While the country offers significant commercial and recreational opportunities, yacht transactions and operations are subject to strict rules on ownership, registration, customs, taxation, safety, and environmental compliance. Many legal risks arise not from the yacht itself, but from documentation errors, title defects, VAT exposure, or non-compliance with customs and import regulations. Independent legal review before and during a transaction helps prevent costly mistakes, delays, and disputes.

Legal Services for Yacht Owners and Buyers

Bıçak has extensive experience advising yacht owners, charterers, managers, lenders, insurers, brokers, designers, and builders, regardless of the size or type of vessel, from sailing yachts to large superyachts. We regularly act for foreign buyers seeking independent legal representation in yacht purchase and sale transactions in Turkey. Our legal services include:

Yacht Sale and Purchase Transactions

We provide independent legal review of yacht purchase and sale agreements, ensuring that contractual terms properly protect the buyer or seller. This includes reviewing broker-prepared documentation, negotiating contractual protections, and identifying legal and financial risks before completion.

Title Investigation and Fraud Prevention

Before purchasing a yacht, it is essential to verify that the seller has legal ownership and authority to sell the vessel, and that the yacht is free from mortgages, liens, marina debts, or other encumbrances. We conduct thorough title investigations, including checks with the Turkish Ship Registry and alternative methods where the vessel is not registered, to obtain reliable proof of ownership and avoid fraud.

Registration and Documentation

We advise on yacht registration options in Turkey and abroad, including Turkish flag registration, foreign flagging, and offshore structures. Our services cover ownership structuring, preparation of registration documentation, and drafting of sale, charter, and management agreements in compliance with Turkish and international maritime law.

Tax, VAT, and Customs Advisory

Tax and customs issues are among the most critical legal risks in yachting transactions in Turkey. Our yachting lawyers have strong expertise in VAT, customs, and excise matters and are well recognised by industry professionals and foreign counsel.

We regularly advise on:

• VAT treatment of yacht construction, sale, and purchase
• Temporary importation and permanent import procedures
• Customs clearance and compliance
• Ownership structuring to optimise tax exposure
• Entry and exit of yachts from Turkish ports

Proper planning at an early stage can significantly reduce financial exposure and operational risk.

Regulatory Compliance and Operational Matters

Operating a yacht in Turkey requires compliance with numerous national and international regulations. We assist clients with:

• Safety and crewing regulations
• Environmental compliance (including MARPOL obligations)
• Chartering and commercial operation requirements
• Coastal cruising permits and operational authorisations
• Compliance with international conventions such as SOLAS

Our advice helps yacht owners and managers operate lawfully while avoiding administrative sanctions and operational disruptions.

Insurance, Liability, and Risk Management

We advise yacht owners on insurance coverage, including hull insurance, P&I insurance, and crew liability insurance. Our services include reviewing insurance policies, negotiating coverage terms, and assisting with insurance claims. We also advise on liability exposure arising from accidents, injuries, collisions, and operational incidents, helping clients manage risk and protect their assets.

Dispute Resolution and Casualty Management

Disputes may arise from yacht construction, purchase, financing, chartering, or operational matters. We represent clients in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and litigation before Turkish courts. Our experience includes high-profile yachting incidents, casualty response, and coordination with technical experts and local authorities. Where required, we also assist with criminal and maritime investigations following serious incidents.

Our Approach: Clear, Practical, and Protective

We offer a structured and client-focused approach:

Pre-assessment: Clients receive an early assessment of legal risks and transaction complexity before committing to a purchase or operation.

Due diligence: We conduct comprehensive legal due diligence to identify title issues, encumbrances, regulatory risks, and hidden liabilities.

Ongoing support: We provide day-to-day legal support for operational matters, including crew issues, marina disputes, insurance claims, and compliance questions.

How Bıçak Can Help?

Bıçak is a full-service law firm with a dedicated focus on yachting and maritime matters. We protect you, your yacht, and your business by minimising legal and financial risks associated with yacht ownership and operation.

Our services include:

• Yacht and catamaran purchase and sale
• Independent contract review for foreign buyers
• Yacht registration and flag selection
• VAT and customs advisory
• Temporary importation and compliance
• Chartering and commercial operations
• Ownership structuring and offshore solutions
• Financing and security arrangements
• Dispute resolution and casualty response

We have a strong presence in key Turkish yachting hubs, including Göcek, Marmaris, Bodrum, Kuşadası, Istanbul, and Antalya, and regularly assist with multi-jurisdictional matters involving foreign clients.

Contact Us

If you are considering buying, selling, registering, or operating a yacht in Turkey and require independent legal advice, our yachting lawyers are available to assist. Early legal involvement can prevent significant financial loss and ensure a smooth and compliant transaction. Please contact Bıçak Law Firm to discuss your yachting matter and obtain a clear legal roadmap before proceeding.

Disclaimer

This page provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be obtained based on the circumstances of each case.