Clearing in, Schengen and customs: crossing borders by yacht

Sailing into another country can mean crossing up to two borders: one for people (Schengen) and one for goods (the EU customs union). They do not coincide, and that decides whether you simply tie up in the first harbour or first have to go through passport control and customs.

This guide gives you an overview, but it is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so always check with the official authorities of your destination country before you leave.

Schengen and the customs union: two different borders

In Europe, the Schengen area includes the EU member states except Ireland and Cyprus, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland; the French overseas territories in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean are not part of it. Croatia joined in 2023, Bulgaria and Romania fully in 2025. The customs union is drawn differently: Norway and Iceland are in Schengen but not in the customs union; Ireland and Cyprus are in the customs union but not in Schengen. Outside both are, among others, the United Kingdom with the Channel Islands and Gibraltar, Montenegro, Albania and Turkey.

Since October 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has recorded biometric data at the Schengen external borders for crew members who are neither EU nor Schengen nationals.

When you have to clear in

If you leave the Schengen area, you clear out beforehand, usually in a port with a border crossing point. In the destination country you head straight for a port of entry, hoist the yellow Q flag and go to the port authority, border police and customs. Until that is done, usually only the skipper goes ashore, with the papers.

Even without a border, you may have to report: in Croatia your first stop is the harbour master's office, and in Greece the TEPAI must be paid. If you return to the EU from a country outside it, including Norway, you report to customs in the first harbour.

Papers to carry on board

• Identity documents for the whole crew, usually passports outside Schengen
• Ship's papers: proof of ownership, registration or flag certificate, and for a charter boat the charter agreement
• Proof of third-party liability insurance, with minimum cover in some countries
• The skipper's certificate of competence, under home country rules or as an ICC
• SRC radio certificate for the VHF set
• Crew list with passport numbers

Special cases in the area

Norway

Schengen, but outside the customs union: on first arrival from abroad you must report to customs (Tolletaten), even if you have nothing to declare. Only then may the crew go ashore. Alcohol and tobacco are only allowed in limited quantities. More on the country page for Norway.

United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Gibraltar

For the United Kingdom, submit a Pleasure Craft Report online before departure and fly the Q flag from the 12-nautical-mile limit; the procedure is explained on GOV.UK. EU nationals also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The Channel Islands have their own authorities; there you report your arrival under the Q flag in Jersey, Guernsey or Alderney. In Gibraltar, go to customs and the port authority or report at the marina. See United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

Croatia

Part of Schengen since 2023, so there are no border checks when arriving from Slovenia or Italy. On first arrival you still go to the harbour master's office (Lučka kapetanija): register the boat, buy the vignette, confirm the crew list. The vignette applies to boats from 3 m, is graded by length and runs until the end of the year. On top of that comes the tourist tax for everyone who sleeps on board. See Croatia.

Greece

Arriving from a Schengen country there are no border checks, but an up-to-date crew list must always be on board. Boats over 7 m pay the TEPAI, a fee per metre and month, online to the tax authority AADE before entry; the receipt is checked. Arriving from Turkey, entry is only via a port with a border crossing point. See Greece.

Turkey

Entry only via a port of entry such as Çeşme, Bodrum, Marmaris or Fethiye. There you get the Transit Log, which is valid for one year as long as you do not call at a foreign port. A private yacht under a foreign flag may only be sailed with the owner on board. See Turkey.

Montenegro

Outside the EU and Schengen: head by the shortest route to Zelenika, Kotor, Tivat, Budva or Bar. At the harbour master's office you have the crew list confirmed and buy the vignette, then police and customs follow. Third-party insurance needs cover of at least 800,000 euros, and when you leave you clear out in the same way. See Montenegro.

Svalbard

Part of Norway, but outside Schengen and the Norwegian customs territory. Before leaving the mainland, complete border control with the police and report your arrival via SafeSeaNet Norway at least 24 hours before the first port. If you want to leave the area around Longyearbyen, apply to the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmester) at least four weeks in advance. See Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

How Sailseer helps

When you plan a passage or a multi-day trip on the map, Sailseer lists the countries on the route in sailing order and says what applies at each border crossing, for example “Leaving the Schengen area: clear out before departure”. The planner marks crossings into countries Sailseer only covers for weather (such as Libya or Syria) and crossings with a warning in red, together with the travel warnings of the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) with their date and a link. Every country page under Harbours and cruising areas summarises clearance, documents, fees, nature protection and emergency numbers, with sources.

All of this is a curated overview. The country's authorities are authoritative, and anyone at sea should keep someone ashore informed: that is what the float plan is for.