Boat Bill of Sale Template (Malta) — Att ta' Bejgħ

Updated on 13 August 2026

Malta operates its own well-known ship and yacht registry under the Merchant Shipping Act, administered by Transport Malta, and registration happens in two stages: a provisional certificate valid for six months, followed by permanent registration once the full documentation is in. For a vessel that already has an owner, Transport Malta specifically asks for a bill of sale, or the document by which the vessel was transferred to the applicant, as part of that registration file — a builder's certificate is used instead only where the vessel is new.

As an EU member state, Malta also puts VAT-paid status at the centre of any resale — the same fact that matters most when a boat moves between EU markets. This template is built around both: the registration document Transport Malta actually asks for, and the VAT position a Maltese or EU buyer needs to see evidenced.

0 of 11 blanks filled

Tap any highlighted blank in the document below and type straight into it.Free — no sign-up, no watermark

Boat Bill of Sale (Att ta' Bejgħ)

Date of sale:
Seller:
Buyer:

For the sum of , receipt of which is acknowledged, the Seller sells and transfers to the Buyer all right, title and interest in the vessel: , hull identification number , registration number .

1. Warranty of title

The Seller warrants ownership of the vessel and full authority to sell it.

OptionalA mortgage is registered against the vessel

The Seller confirms the vessel is free of any registered mortgage or other encumbrance.

2. VAT status

The Seller asserts the following EU VAT status: , evidenced by:

3. Condition

The vessel is sold as seen. The Seller discloses the following known defects and history:

OptionalSale is subject to a satisfactory survey

4. Delivery

The vessel is delivered at , and risk passes to the Buyer on delivery.

5. General

This Bill of Sale is governed by the laws of Malta.

Seller

Date:

Buyer

Date:

Build the bill of sale around Transport Malta's registration file

Whether the vessel is being registered under the Malta flag for the first time or transferred between existing Maltese-flagged owners, the bill of sale is the document Transport Malta uses to establish the chain of ownership behind the application. This template records the vessel by its identifying details in the form the registry expects, and gives both parties a document that supports either a first registration or a straightforward transfer between existing owners.

Record EU VAT-paid status clearly

Because Malta is inside the EU VAT area, whether VAT has been paid on the vessel — and where — is one of the two facts that most affects both its resale value and the buyer's freedom to keep it in other EU waters without further liability. This template records the VAT position the seller asserts and the evidence being handed over, rather than leaving it to be discovered after completion.

Separate the title warranty from the as-seen condition

As under any legal system, selling a vessel 'as seen' addresses its condition, not who owns it. This template keeps the seller's warranty of ownership and freedom from encumbrances separate from the as-seen condition clause, with an optional survey condition.

Check for a registered mortgage

Malta's ship and yacht registry is well used for vessel finance, and a Maltese-flagged vessel can carry a registered mortgage. This template asks the seller to confirm any mortgage and, where one exists, records the payoff arrangement before completion.

Clause-by-clause guide

Parties: Seller and buyer, matching the names to be used on Transport Malta's registration.
The vessel: Make, model, hull identification number, and any existing Transport Malta registration number.
Price and payment: The total price and delivery point.
Warranty of title: Ownership, right to sell, and freedom from any registered mortgage or other encumbrance.
VAT status: The EU VAT-paid position asserted and the evidence handed over.
As-seen condition: The buyer takes the vessel as seen, with an optional survey condition.
Registration: Confirms the vessel's registration status and the buyer's responsibility to complete the Transport Malta process.

Malta compliance checklist

Transport Malta registration and EU VAT status both affect a Maltese boat sale.

Provide the bill of sale as part of the registration file
For a vessel with a previous owner, Transport Malta requires a bill of sale or other document evidencing the transfer to the applicant; a builder's certificate applies only to a new vessel.
Transport Malta — ship registration process
Understand the two-stage registration process
Registration under the Malta flag begins with a provisional certificate valid for six months, followed by full permanent registration once documentation is complete.
Check the EU VAT-paid status
Confirm what evidence of VAT paid the seller can produce before agreeing a price, since it affects resale value and use of the vessel in other EU waters.
Check for a registered mortgage
Search the register for any mortgage against the vessel and get written confirmation of payoff before completing if one exists.
Check eligibility to register under the Malta flag
Pleasure yachts may be registered under the Malta flag where owned by Maltese or EU citizens, or by bodies corporate established under Maltese law or certain foreign corporate structures — confirm eligibility before assuming registration is straightforward.

How to complete the boat bill of sale

Confirm the registration route. Check whether this is a first Malta-flag registration or a transfer between existing owners.
Describe the vessel. Add the make, model, hull identification number and any existing registration number.
Record VAT status. State the EU VAT-paid position asserted and the evidence handed over.
Check for a mortgage. Confirm whether any mortgage is registered against the vessel and record the payoff position.
Set the price and sign. Add the total price and delivery point, then both parties sign.

Frequently asked questions

Does Transport Malta require a bill of sale for registration?

Yes, for a vessel that already has an owner — a bill of sale or other document evidencing the transfer to the applicant is part of the registration file. A builder's certificate is used only for a new vessel.

How long does Malta registration take?

Registration happens in two stages: a provisional certificate valid for six months, issued quickly, followed by full permanent registration once the complete documentation is submitted.

Why does EU VAT status matter so much for a Maltese boat sale?

Because Malta sits inside the EU VAT area, evidence of VAT paid affects both the vessel's resale value and the buyer's ability to use it freely in other EU waters without a further VAT liability arising.

Can anyone register a boat under the Malta flag?

Pleasure yachts can generally be registered where owned by Maltese or other EU citizens, or by qualifying corporate bodies — check eligibility before assuming registration is available to any buyer.

What if the boat has a registered mortgage?

Check the register and get written confirmation of payoff before completing — a mortgage against a Maltese-flagged vessel does not disappear because a private bill of sale has been signed.

Related templates

Disclaimer

This template and guide are for general information only. They are not legal or tax advice, and no Maltese-qualified lawyer or notary has reviewed or approved them. Transport Malta registration requirements and EU VAT rules can change — confirm the current position before relying on this document.