Madeira International Shipping Register (MAR)
The Madeira International Shipping Register (MAR, also RIN-MAR) is one of Europe's most competitive and fully EU-compliant ship registries. It was set up as part of the MIBC framework, runs under Portuguese and EU law, and combines fiscal advantages, operational flexibility and the full rights of an EU flag.
Why register in MAR?
- EU flag with full access to continental and island cabotage inside the European Union
- Flexible crew rules: the captain and 50% of safe manning must be EU or Portuguese-speaking-country nationals
- Full MIBC tax benefits for shipping companies licensed in Madeira
- 0% withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties
- No social security contributions for non-Portuguese crew (private insurance required instead)
- No personal income tax for non-resident crew aboard registered vessels
- VAT exemption on fuel for commercial vessels and on chartering
- VAT refund on yacht purchases where the vessel is commercially chartered
Vessels accepted
MAR registers every type of commercial vessel, including cargo ships, tankers, container vessels, cruise ships, ferries, offshore platforms and yachts. New and second-hand vessels both qualify. A vessel can be owned directly by an MIBC-licensed company or by a foreign entity, in which case a local representative in Madeira must be appointed.
Yacht registration
For yacht owners, MAR offers an EU registry with unrestricted navigation rights across European waters, plus the tax efficiency of the MIBC framework. Commercial yachts benefit from VAT exemptions on fuel and chartering, and the flexible crew regime brings operating costs down significantly.
MadeiraLab handles the full registration, from vessel documentation through MIBC licensing and ongoing flag-state compliance.
Contact us to discuss your requirements.