Published on 6 January 2025

Renewal of a flag confirmation for coastal boats

The administrative processes to renew a Swiss flag confirmation for coastal boats (in CE design category C) are transparent and efficient, and processing is digital, swift and straightforward. The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) is the central contact point for this and has qualified staff on hand to assist you.

The Swiss-flagged coastal boat ZATTERA. — © Peter Morgenthaler

Renewal of the flag confirmation for a coastal boat

A Swiss flag confirmation must be renewed when it expires, at the latest after five years. The owner of the coastal boat will be contacted by the SMNO concerning renewal three months before the certificate of flag registration expires.

If the flag confirmation is not to be renewed, an application to delete the flag confirmation must be submitted to cancel it.

If a renewal or cancelling is not requested by the expiry date, the flag confirmation is no longer valid. Coastal boats with an expired confirmation of a flag registration may no longer fly the Swiss flag.

Detailed information on renewing the flag confirmation for a coastal boat can be found in the following document:

1. Proof of third-party liability insurance cover.
Provisions and references regarding third-party liability insurance for coastal boats
PDF73.63 kB18 February 2025
2. Technical details on the boat and confirmation of limited seaworthiness for the relevant cruising area with the associated equipment:
Safety certificate when renewing the flag confirmation or for pre-registration
PDF55.94 kB18 February 2025
If the coastal boat has a class from a recognised classification society or is registered in a cantonal register, the classification certificate or valid ship's registration document can be submitted instead.
3. All certificates required under international law. For seagoing coastal boats, in particular:
- the necessary engine certificates, if the motor has undergone a major change since the initial registration or the last renewal;
- from 16 passengers (licence): up-to-date International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (ISPP Certificate).
These certificates are issued by recognised classification societies.
List of recognised classification societies
PDF83.48 kB17 February 2025
Applications for renewal should be submitted electronically via the SMNO online portal. For this, the same account can be used as for the initial registration, or alternatively, a new account can be created. Applications are usually processed within two weeks.
Electronic submissions by email will not be processed. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will be rejected.
SMNO online portal for applications to renew flag confirmation (German)
Instructions: Creating an account on SMNO-Mares
PDF404.97 kB10 January 2025
Transmitting and/or receiving equipment is not mandatory for Swiss coastal boats under 150 GRT, but it is useful for safety purposes and helpful in emergencies and is therefore recommended by the SMNO. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) is responsible for the telecommunications regulations for maritime navigation under the Swiss flag. If a coastal boat is equipped with the relevant transmitting and/or receiving equipment (e.g. VHF radio, radar, AIS, EPIRB), an application for a ship station licence or allocation of a maritime radio identification (call sign, MMSI or Atis) must be submitted to OFCOM. The existing telecommunications licences and their period of validity are not affected by renewal of the flag confirmation. Any necessary telecommunications licence renewal applications should be submitted to OFCOM.
OFCOM maritime radio
EPIRB factsheet
PDF1.14 MB24 March 2025
EPIRB short guide
PDF584.22 kB9 December 2024
The fee to renew a flag confirmation is CHF 100 per year. The flag confirmation may be renewed for a period of between one and five years (= CHF 500 plus postage). The fee is paid on invoice.
Information regarding customs and taxes (including VAT) for coastal boats, and the procedures e.g. for inward and outward clearance and import and export of a boat can be obtained from the relevant Swiss and foreign customs authorities and representations.
As a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Switzerland has signed various international conventions governing international maritime operations. These international regulations are deemed Swiss law and must be complied with in addition to the provisions of the Yachts Ordinance.
The document below explains the most important regulations in the Yachts Ordinance and the relevant international conventions, and is intended as an aid and overview, but without claiming to be exhaustive. It is the responsibility of the boat owner and skipper to be aware of and to comply with the relevant rules and regulations.
Ordinance on Swiss Ocean-Going Yachts (Yachts Ordinance (German)
General provisions for Swiss coastal boats
PDF102.61 kB19 August 2025

Documents

Contact

FDFA Swiss Maritime Navigation Office SMNO
Elisabethenstrasse 33
P.O.Box
Switzerland - 4010 Basel

Renewal of a flag confirmation for coastal boats

Renewal of the flag confirmation for a coastal boat

Conditions for the issue or renewal of a flag confirmation

Documentation needed to renew a flag confirmation

Provisions and references regarding third-party liability insurance for coastal boats

Safety certificate when renewing the flag confirmation or for pre-registration

List of recognised classification societies

Application submission and processing time

Instructions: Creating an account on SMNO-Mares

Maritime radio and EPIRB

EPIRB factsheet

EPIRB short guide

Fees

VAT and customs

General provisions for Swiss coastal boats

General provisions for Swiss coastal boats

Links

Documents

Conditions for the issue or renewal of a flag confirmation

EPIRB factsheet

EPIRB short guide

General provisions for Swiss coastal boats

Instructions: Creating an account on SMNO-Mares

List of recognised classification societies

Provisions and references regarding third-party liability insurance for coastal boats

Safety certificate when renewing the flag confirmation or for pre-registration

Contact