By Hannah Tully, Client Relationship Director, Yachting and Aviation
From 1 January 2026, visiting foreign yachts can move between Abu Dhabi and Dubai under a simplified protocol, featuring mutual recognition of sailing permits and the waiver of redundant local entry and exit procedures. For yacht owners and family offices, now is an opportune moment to review yacht ownership structures in the UAE.
The UAE has invested heavily in marinas, waterfront destinations and the broader luxury travel ecosystem. Now, it’s removing a critical friction point: how easily a yacht can travel between the two emirates. Effective from 1 January 2026, Abu Dhabi Maritime and the Dubai Maritime Authority have implemented a consolidated protocol designed to make it easier for foreign yachts to travel freely in the region.
This change holds immediate practical implications: simpler inter-emirate travel, more itinerary freedom and fewer redundant administrative steps. In other words, the UAE has become an even more desirable location to berth a yacht.
Key changes under the new UAE yacht protocol
- Mutual recognition of sailing permits: A sailing permit issued by either Abu Dhabi or Dubai will be recognised for travel between the two emirates
- Early Inquiry System API: The protocol uses the Early Inquiry System API to obtain vessel, crew and passenger data, helping avoid duplicate procedures during inter-emirate travel
- Elimination of redundant entry and exit procedures: Local entry and exit procedures will now be waived for yachts travelling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi
What this change means for yacht owners, their family offices and charters
When it comes to superyacht holding structures and asset operation, the biggest wins often come from reducing small frictions that compound over time. A unified, mutually recognised permit framework removes one of the most common practical barriers to enjoying the UAE coastline as a single cruising ground.
For yacht owners, the upside is immediate:
- Operational efficiency: Fewer repetitive steps for owners, crew, charter guests and representatives
- Reduced risk of delay: Less procedural redundancy can mean fewer avoidable delays
- Lower costs: Fewer administrative hours and avoidable third-party coordination loops
- Better itinerary freedom: Yacht owners and charterers can travel between Abu Dhabi’s islands and Dubai’s entertainment options without the same procedural drag
A more fluid UAE cruising experience
Abu Dhabi and Dubai have become easier to enjoy as a single cruising canvas, without the same need to repeat processes each time the yacht moves between destinations. For family offices supporting UHNW principals, that shift matters. Real-life itineraries aren’t static – when weather shifts and plans change, a smooth regulatory rhythm makes the experience feel more like luxury travel and less like logistics management.
Less repeat administration
The protocol’s emphasis is on both speed and streamlined administration supported by coordinated authorities, including Abu Dhabi Maritime, the Dubai Maritime Authority, and other relevant local and federal entities. For owners, that means fewer redundant steps and less opportunity for delays to creep in.
Lower travel costs
The new protocol also reduces yachting operational costs, including everything from agent fees to crew hours, making the UAE an even more appealing home base for private vessels and superyachts.
Impact for charterers and the industry at large
With regulatory tailwinds supporting multi-emirate routes, the UAE’s yachting market is set to grow in the coming years, including the yacht charter segment. Guests seeking a diverse itinerary that includes both Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks and unspoiled marine reserves, alongside the entertainment and nightlife of Dubai, will have new premium experiences to explore.
Market indicators also point to growing demand: Grand View Research projects the UAE yacht charter market could exceed US$330M by 2030, growing at a 5.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). For owners, that kind of expansion brings deeper service ecosystems: more itinerary options, more charter activity and more operational complexity to manage well.
Across the broader industry, a unified maritime corridor strengthens the UAE’s competitiveness against established yachting hubs in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and signals a long-term commitment to marine leisure sectors. Marina developers, charter fleets, foreign-flagged yachts and service providers in the industry will all benefit from a more efficient operating environment.
Checklist for yacht owners cruising in the UAE
If the UAE is on your cruising map for 2026 here’s a few practical steps to help you take full advantage of the new framework:
- Confirm your vessel’s status and intended use (private versus commercial/charter) – operational requirements will differ
- Plan your permit pathway early so you can rely on mutual recognition for inter-emirate travel once you’re in the region
- Have vessel, crew and passenger information in order to support digital submissions and pre-arrival notifications
- Choose a single point of coordination (internally or via a trusted third-party provider) to keep the process consistent even as itineraries change
Smart structuring still matters
A simplified cruising protocol is a major quality-of-life upgrade and industry tailwind, but it does not replace the need for owners to clarify the fundamentals behind their yacht ownership structures in the UAE.
In practice, the two questions that tend to matter most are:
- How will the yacht be used? Private use versus commercial/charter can materially change requirements and operational realities
- Where should the yacht be structured and flagged? Structures should align with owner nexus, intended use and professional legal and tax advice
How we can support yacht owners
IQ-EQ supports ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals, families, and family offices with private vessel and superyacht holding structures, alongside ongoing administration, compliance, and reporting across jurisdictions.
Our suite of luxury assets services includes:
- Yacht holding structures and vessel registration in key flag jurisdictions
- Financial reporting
- VAT administration
- Issuing pre-paid crew cards
- Facilitation of importation and exportation, including temporary and returned goods release (RGR)
- Organising insurance to protect your assets
- Managing crew engagement and payroll
- Assisting with refits
- Commercial chartering activities
More freedom is now available to yacht owners, if your operational setup is ready to support it. Get in touch to learn more about superyacht structuring and practical support.
About the author:
Hannah Tully has spent 20 years in the financial services industry. For the last 11+ years, she has specialised in the structuring and management of luxury assets. She holds a professional diploma in yacht management.
