Owning or buying a yacht is exciting, but it also comes with a range of legal requirements that can be difficult to manage – especially if you’re not familiar with Spanish law. Whether it’s contracts and surveys or registration and moorings, there are many details to consider, and getting the right advice early on can save you both time and money.

At Gascon Bernabeu, we provide specialist advice in marine law to international clients from our offices in Alicante, Mallorca and London. Our English-speaking solicitors work closely with you to guide you through the process of buying, selling, or managing a yacht. We’ll explain everything clearly, handle the paperwork on your behalf, and make sure your interests are fully protected.

Buying or selling a yacht

Purchasing a yacht or superyacht is a significant investment that needs to be approached with proper planning and legal support. Our English-speaking solicitors can assist with everything from contract negotiations and surveys to verifying ownership and making sure there are no outstanding debts or charges against the vessel. Sometimes buyers make the mistake of agreeing to terms or paying deposits before getting legal advice, which can cause problems later.

If you’re selling a yacht, having the right legal support is just as important. We’ll make sure contracts, deposits, and the final handover are handled properly, keeping everything secure, straightforward, and fully compliant with Spanish law.

New build purchases and joint ownership

If you are commissioning a new build yacht, the process involves staged payments, delivery schedules, and complex contract terms that require careful negotiation. We act on your behalf throughout to make sure your position is safeguarded until final delivery. Increasingly, yachts are also bought and owned jointly by friends, family, or business partners to help share costs. In these situations, we prepare clear agreements that set out who is responsible for what, how the yacht can be used, and how costs are shared, which helps to prevent disagreements later.