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The Journal
April 7, 2026
Editorial

How Much Does a Yacht Charter in Greece Actually Cost? The Complete 2026 Breakdown

By George P. Biniaris
Aerial view of a Greek coastal town with turquoise waters and boats — yacht charter cost guide
George Yachts · Maritime Intelligence

All-In Cost Summary for Crewed Yacht Charters in Greece (2026)

A crewed yacht charter in Greece has a headline charter fee (yacht + crew) and then three major add-ons: APA, VAT, and gratuity. In practice, your true all-in cost ends up about 50–65% higher than the charter fee alone.

  • A €30,000/week charter typically ends up around €45,000–€49,000 all-in.
  • This guide uses real 2026 market numbers from the Greek charter market, with no vague ranges or hidden pricing.

1. Charter Fee: What You Pay for the Yacht Itself

The charter fee covers:

  • The yacht and all standard equipment
  • Crew salaries
  • Yacht insurance
  • Linens, towels
  • Use of tenders and water toys listed in the brochure

2026 Weekly Charter Fees (High Season: July–August)

Motor Yachts (23–50m, crewed)

  • 23–25m: €19,000–€30,000/week
  • 28–32m: €35,000–€65,000/week
  • 40–50m: €80,000–€180,000/week

Sailing Catamarans (14–24m, crewed)

  • 14–16m: €5,900–€14,000/week
  • 18–22m: €14,000–€28,000/week
  • 22–24m: €24,000–€38,000/week

Power Catamarans (14–20m, crewed)

  • €13,000–€35,000/week

Sailing Monohulls (16–24m, crewed)

  • €8,000–€22,000/week

George's Inside Info: These are high-season rates. Expect:

  • June & September: ~10–20% lower for the same yacht
  • Early/late October: 25–30% lower, but with more weather risk
  • Best value vs weather: Last two weeks of June

2. APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)

APA is a pre-paid onboard expense fund. It covers all running costs during your charter:

  • Fuel
  • Food and beverages
  • Marina and port fees
  • Local taxes and port charges
  • Special requests and extras

The captain manages this fund and provides a full accounting with receipts at the end. Any unused APA is refunded; if you overspend, you settle the difference.

Typical APA Percentages in Greece

  • 30% of charter fee – Standard for motor yachts on shorter, fuel-light routes (e.g. Saronic, Cyclades hub-and-spoke)
  • 35% of charter fee – Most common; covers moderate fuel and standard provisioning
  • 40% of charter fee – Fuel-heavy routes (e.g. long Ionian transits, Athens–Corfu one-ways) or premium provisioning

What APA Actually Pays For (Realistic Ranges)

  • Fuel
  • 30m motor yacht: ~€2,000–€4,000/week depending on cruising hours
  • Sailing catamarans: ~€500–€1,200/week
  • Food & Beverages
  • Quality Greek cuisine: €80–€150 per person per day
  • Fine dining / premium wines / imported items: €200+ per person per day
  • Marina Fees
  • €100–€800 per night depending on port
  • Hydra town harbour & Mykonos New Port are at the higher end
  • Many anchorages in Greece are free
  • Port Taxes & Local Fees
  • Typically €50–€200 per port call
  • Extras
  • Scuba instructors, special excursions, jet ski fuel, onshore transfers, etc.

George's Inside Info: Fuel is the biggest APA shock for first-time motor yacht clients. A 30m yacht cruising 4–5 hours/day can burn €600–€800/day in fuel. If you prefer anchoring and swimming over long transits, fuel drops sharply. The Saronic Gulf is especially fuel-efficient: most legs are under 15nm.

3. VAT on Greek Yacht Charters

VAT is charged on top of the charter fee (not on APA or gratuity). In Greece, the rate depends on the itinerary:

  • 6.5% – Standard rate for most charters operating exclusively in Greek waters
  • 12% – Applies in certain cases depending on itinerary structure and ports of call

Your broker confirms the exact VAT rate before you sign. It is always clearly stated in the MYBA charter agreement.

Example on a €45,000 charter fee:

  • At 6.5%: VAT = €2,925
  • At 12%: VAT = €5,400

4. Real All-In Cost Examples

Below are three real-world scenarios for crewed motor yachts in Greece, including charter fee + APA + VAT + gratuity.

Scenario 1: Entry-Level Motor Yacht — 23m, 6 Guests, Saronic Gulf

| Cost Line | Amount |

|-----------|--------|

| Charter fee (1 week) | €19,000 |

| APA (35%) | €6,650 |

| VAT (6.5%) | €1,235 |

| Crew gratuity (10–15%) | €1,900–€2,850 |

| Total all-in | €28,785–€29,735 |

| Per person (6 guests) | €4,798–€4,956 |

Scenario 2: Mid-Range Motor Yacht — 30m, 10 Guests, Cyclades

| Cost Line | Amount |

|-----------|--------|

| Charter fee (1 week) | €45,000 |

| APA (35%) | €15,750 |

| VAT (6.5%) | €2,925 |

| Crew gratuity (10–15%) | €4,500–€6,750 |

| Total all-in | €68,175–€70,425 |

| Per person (10 guests) | €6,818–€7,043 |

Scenario 3: Premium Motor Yacht — 30m, 12 Guests, Ionian (One-Way)

| Cost Line | Amount |

|-----------|--------|

| Charter fee (1 week) | €65,000 |

| APA (40%) | €26,000 |

| VAT (6.5%) | €4,225 |

| Crew gratuity (10–15%) | €6,500–€9,750 |

| Total all-in | €101,725–€104,975 |

| Per person (12 guests) | €8,477–€8,748 |

George's Inside Info: Focus on per-person cost. Even on a €65,000/week yacht, you are under €9,000 per person all-in for a week of fully crewed private luxury, including meals, fuel, and activities. A €45,000 yacht with 10 guests is cheaper per person than the same yacht with 4 guests. Filling the guest capacity is key.

5. Crew Gratuity: How Much to Tip

All-In Cost Guide for Crewed Yacht Charters in Greece (2026)

A crewed yacht charter in Greece costs €19,000–€65,000 per week for the charter fee alone on motor yachts, but your real all-in spend ends up about 50–65% higher once you add APA, VAT, and gratuity. A €30,000 charter fee realistically becomes €45,000–€49,000 for a fully costed week.

This guide uses real 2026 market numbers from the Greek charter market, with no vague ranges or “contact us for pricing” walls.

1. Charter Fee: What You Actually Get

The charter fee is what you pay for:

  • The yacht itself
  • The crew (captain, chef, steward/ess, deckhands, etc.)
  • All standard equipment listed in the brochure

It typically includes:

  • Crew salaries and insurance
  • Yacht insurance
  • Linens, towels, basic toiletries

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