APA explained 2026
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) on Greek Yacht Charters: Complete 2026 Guide
What APA is, why brokers ask for 30-35%, what it covers, what happens to the unused balance.
What APA is and how it works
Worked examples and what APA typically covers
Example 1 — modest 7-day charter, €60K base. APA at 32% = €19,200. Typical spend: €4K fuel, €8K food + beverages, €2K port fees, €1.5K marina dockage at one or two stops, €1.5K provisioning extras (ice, water, supplies). Settled spend: €17K. Refund: €2.2K. Example 2 — premium 7-day charter, €150K base. APA at 35% = €52,500. Typical spend: €10K fuel, €18K food + beverages (premium wines, Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef), €5K port + marina fees, €4K shore excursions and tenders, €5K toys (helicopter time, jet ski rental). Settled spend: €42K. Refund: €10.5K. Example 3 — superyacht 7-day charter, €500K base. APA at 35% = €175K. Typical spend: €40K fuel (60m+ yacht burns 1,500L/hour at cruise), €60K food + beverages (helicopter provisioning runs, sommelier-curated wine), €25K port + marina + agent fees, €30K toys + tenders + helicopter, €10K crew uniforms + supplies. Settled spend: €165K. Refund: €10K. What APA does NOT cover: crew gratuity (paid separately, 15-20% of base direct to captain), VAT on the base (12% Greek waters), or excursions and shore activities that the charterer arranges directly (e.g. private tour guides, Michelin-restaurant ashore dinners that aren't on yacht).
Notes from George on APA
- Ask the captain or broker for an APA worksheet 60 days pre-charter. The line items should be specific (fuel litres × current diesel price, food per guest per day, port fees per anticipated stop). If you can't see those line items, push.
- APA is held in trust by the captain. It does NOT go to the broker. The broker collects it on behalf of the captain and forwards it before charter start.
- The captain provides daily APA updates (or end-of-week summary, depending on charterer preference). Ask for daily updates if you want to actively manage the spend.
- Unused APA refunds typically settle within 7-14 days post-charter via bank transfer.
- Some charterers add to APA mid-week if they want to upgrade provisioning (e.g. additional case of premium wine). Captain accepts cash or wire.
- If your itinerary changes mid-charter to add long passages (e.g. extending into Turkish waters), APA may need topping up to cover the additional fuel. Captain flags this in advance.
Frequently asked
About apa (advance provisioning allowance) on greek yacht charters: complete 2026 guide
Is APA refundable?
Yes — any portion of APA not spent during the charter is refunded to the charterer within 7-14 days post-charter. The captain provides itemised receipts for all spend.
Can I see receipts for APA spend?
Yes — the captain is required to provide itemised receipts for all APA expenditure. Charterers typically receive a daily summary or end-of-week consolidated report.
What if APA runs out mid-week?
The captain flags it and asks for a top-up via wire transfer or cash. This happens when itinerary changes add unplanned fuel or provisioning costs. Standard practice; not a problem.
Is APA taxable / VAT-able?
No. APA is a trust-held float for actual purchases, not a fee. Greek VAT applies to the charter base, not to APA. Individual purchases made from APA are charged VAT by their suppliers (restaurant meals, fuel, etc.) at those suppliers' rates.
Why is APA so high — 30-35% of base?
Because variable yacht costs are genuinely large: fuel on a 30m motor yacht is €10-15K per week, premium food and beverages for 8 guests for 7 days is €8-12K, port fees and marina dockage add €3-5K. The standard 30-35% covers these without leaving the captain short during the week.
Can APA be negotiated down?
Marginally — for simple itineraries (one anchorage, no marina dockage, light provisioning) the captain may accept 25-28%. But ask honestly: if the spend exceeds the APA mid-week, the captain has to ask you for more. Better to fund adequately.