Does a motorboat need to be registered?

In Poland, regulations require motorboat owners to register their vessels. However, these do not cover all watercraft. What types of yachts need to be registered? You will find the answer to this question in the article below.

Which watercraft are subject to registration?

According to the regulations that came into effect on August 1, 2020, mandatory registration applies to:

1. yachts and watercraft, including those used for amateur fishing, with a length of no less than 7.5 m or with mechanical propulsion exceeding 15 kW,
2. watercraft used for fishing,
3. watercraft navigating outside the territory of Poland unless they have a non-Polish affiliation.

The watercraft specified in point 1 include recreational and commercial yachts, jet skis, houseboats, and wooden replicas of historical ships. Registration must be completed within 30 days of purchasing the boat. Registers are maintained by County Offices, the Polish Yachting Association, and the Polish Motorboat and Water Skiing Association.

Is it worth registering boats not covered by the law?

Smaller vessels than those specified in the law can be registered at the owner's request. As a seller of motorboats, we encourage this action. Primarily, it serves as proof of ownership for the owner, providing protection against theft and other forms of illegal seizure of the vessel. Registering a yacht also allows for identity verification and tracking its location. In the event of a yacht's disappearance, registration can aid in its recovery. Registration also facilitates international waters navigation and docking in foreign ports.