Croatia's process depends on size. A boat, brodica, is registered and inspected by the harbourmaster's office. A yacht over 15 m goes to the Croatian Register of Shipping for its survey. Either way, the paperwork is public and clear, and there's one rule that can rule a boat out before you look at it.
The CE rule
Gov.hr's boat registration instructions say boats built before 16 June 2000 can't be registered unless they carry the CE conformity marking. If you plan to register the boat in Croatia, check the CE plate and the declaration of conformity first.
Registering a boat
The request goes to the harbourmaster's office where the owner lives or has a registered seat, or where the boat mainly stays. For a used boat, gov.hr lists:
- proof of ownership
- proof the owner can register a boat under the Maritime Code
- documents proving the boat's age and technical eligibility
- a deregistration certificate from any foreign register
The harbourmaster decides within 30 days, or 60 if there's an investigation. Changes must be reported within 30 days. Boats with engines over 15 kW need valid liability insurance.
Registering a yacht
Gov.hr's yacht instructions list similar documents. The Croatian Register of Shipping surveys every yacht and pleasure craft over 15 m registered for the first time, then issues a certificate of the yacht's ability for navigation up to 24 m, or a certificate of class above. For a second-hand yacht up to 24 m, it asks for the previous certificate of registry from an EEA state.
Inspections after you buy
Our Croatia technical inspections page has the detail. In short, commercial boats are inspected every two years, and personal boats over 7 m or 15 kW with a toilet, gas galley, built-in engine or built-in tank every five. Ask the seller for the last inspection record: an overdue inspection is your problem once the boat is yours. Equipment by navigation area is on our Croatia equipment page.
The survey
The harbourmaster's inspection and the CRS survey check that the boat meets the rules. A pre-purchase survey checks what you're buying: hull, rig, engines, electrics, and the cost of what needs doing. If the boat has worked in charter, ask for its charter history and the inspection records that came with it.
See also how to buy a yacht.