Published on 6 January 2025

Renewing a yacht registration

The administrative processes to renew the registration of a yacht (in CE design categories A or B) and the associated certificate of registry 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.

A yacht under the Swiss flag sails with a pink sail. — © Pierre Tschirren

SMNO online portal

Link to the new SMNO online portal (MARES)

• User Manual MARES

Renewing a yacht registration

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

If the certificate of registry doesn't need to be renewed, an application to delete the yacht registration must be submitted.

If a renewal or cancellation is not requested by the expiry date, the certificate of registry is no longer valid. Yachts with an expired certificate of registry may no longer fly the Swiss flag.

Detailed information on renewing a yacht registration can be found in the following document:

• Conditions for yacht registration or renewal of registration

  PDF98.10 kB18 February 2025

• Documentation needed to renew the certificate of registry

  1. Proof of third-party liability insurance cover

  • Provisions and references regarding third-party liability insurance for yachts

    PDF73.80 kB18 February 2025

  2. Technical details on the vessel and confirmation of unrestricted seaworthiness for the relevant cruising area with the associated equipment:

  • Seaworthiness certificate for renewal of certificate of registry

    PDF55.62 kB18 February 2025

  If the vessel has a class from a recognised classification society, the current classification certificate can be submitted instead.

  • List of recognised classification societies

    PDF83.48 kB17 February 2025

  3. All certificates required under international law. For seagoing yachts, 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

• Application submission and processing time

  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 renewal of certificate of registry

  • User Manual MARES

    PDF3.01 MB2 February 2026

• Maritime radio and EPIRB

  Transmitting and/or receiving equipment is not mandatory for Swiss yachts under 150 GRT, but it is useful for safety purposes and helpful in emergencies and is therefore recommended by the SMNO (see also the equipment guidelines for yachts under the Swiss flag). 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 yacht is equipped with appropriate 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 certificate of registry. Any necessary telecommunications licence renewal applications should be submitted to OFCOM.

  OFCOM maritime radio

  • Guidelines for the equipment of Swiss seagoing yachts

    PDF84.09 kB18 February 2025

  • EPIRB factsheet

    PDF1.14 MB24 March 2025

  • EPIRB short guide

    PDF584.22 kB9 December 2024

• Fees

  The fee to renew a certificate of registry is CHF 150 per year. The certificate of registry may be renewed for a period of between one and five years (= CHF 750 plus postage). The fee is paid on invoice.

• VAT and customs

  Information regarding customs and taxes (including VAT) for yachts, and the procedures e.g. for inward and outward clearance and import and export of a vessel can be obtained from the relevant Swiss and foreign customs authorities and representations.

• General provisions for Swiss seagoing yachts

  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 vessel 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 seagoing yachts

    PDF112.23 kB17 February 2025

Links

• SMNO online portal for renewal of certificate of flag registration
• Deleting a yacht from the Swiss register
• OFCOM maritime radio
• Ordinance on Swiss Ocean-Going Yachts (Yachts Ordinance) (German)

Documents

• EPIRB factsheet

  PDF1.14 MB24 March 2025

• EPIRB short guide

  PDF584.22 kB9 December 2024

• Guidelines for the equipment of Swiss seagoing yachts

  PDF84.09 kB18 February 2025

• List of recognised classification societies

  PDF83.48 kB17 February 2025

• Provisions and references regarding third-party liability insurance for yachts

  PDF73.80 kB18 February 2025

• Seaworthiness certificate for renewal of certificate of registry

  PDF55.62 kB18 February 2025

• User Manual MARES

  PDF3.01 MB2 February 2026