You found the yacht. You reviewed the photos, the specs, the crew profile. You told your broker: let's do it.
And then — silence. Or worse, a flood of paperwork you weren't expecting.
If you're a PA researching on behalf of your principal, a family office coordinator managing the logistics, or a first-time charterer navigating the process yourself — this is the article nobody else wrote for you. Not because it's secret. Because most brokers assume you already know.
You don't. And that's fine. Here is every step, every payment, every document, every deadline — from the moment you say yes to the moment you step aboard in Athens.
Step 1: The Charter Agreement — What You're Actually Signing
The industry-standard contract for crewed yacht charters in the Mediterranean is the MYBA Charter Agreement. Originally created by MYBA — The Worldwide Yachting Association — over 30 years ago, it has undergone multiple revisions to reflect current regulations, industry practices, and compliance standards including AML and KYC protocols. According to MYBA guidelines, it remains the most widely used and respected charter contract in the world.
The contract is typically eight pages. That sounds intimidating, but it is designed to protect you as much as the yacht owner. Your broker will walk you through every clause before you sign. Here is what it covers:
The charter period — your exact dates, embarkation and disembarkation ports, and the cruising area. In Greece, this is typically defined as "Greek waters" which covers the Ionian, Cyclades, Saronic, and Sporades.
The charter fee — the base cost for the yacht and crew for the agreed period. Under the MYBA contract, this covers the yacht itself and crew wages only. Everything you consume onboard — food, fuel, port fees — is separate. This separation exists because a week anchored in calm Saronic bays burns far less fuel than a motor yacht crossing the Cyclades against the Meltemi.
The payment schedule — when each instalment is due. More on this in the next section.
Captain's authority — under MYBA Clause 4, the captain has ultimate authority onboard. This covers safety, navigation, weather decisions, jet ski usage (which under current Greek maritime regulations requires a valid licence), and compliance with local and international maritime law.
Cancellation terms — MYBA Clause 11 outlines the financial consequences of cancelling at various stages. This is why charter insurance is strongly recommended.
Special conditions — a section expanded in the latest MYBA revision to include AML and KYC clauses. It also covers dietary requirements, cabin assignments, celebration arrangements, and specific port requests.
Once all parties sign — you, the yacht owner, the broker, and the stakeholder (if applicable) — the contract is legally binding. Your dates are locked. The yacht is yours.
Step 2: The Payment Schedule — When You Pay What
MYBA charters follow a structured payment timeline. There is no single lump sum. Here is the standard schedule for a crewed charter in Greece:
At Signing: 50% of the Net Charter Fee
This is your deposit. It secures the yacht and prevents anyone else from booking those dates. The deposit is paid by bank transfer to a designated escrow or holding account — not directly to the yacht owner. This protects your funds until the charter takes place.
30 Days Before Embarkation: The Balance
The remaining 50% of the charter fee, plus the full APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), plus the applicable VAT. This is the final payment before your charter begins. Your broker will send a detailed invoice breaking down each component.
A practical example: For a €30,000 weekly charter fee with 25% APA (€7,500) and 12% VAT (€3,600), your total outlay is €41,100. You pay €15,000 at signing, and €26,100 thirty days before departure. These are real 2026 numbers — not ranges, not estimates.
Step 3: The APA — Your Onboard Expense Account
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is the concept that confuses first-time charterers most. It is simple once you understand the logic.
Your charter fee pays for the yacht and crew. The APA pays for everything you consume during the trip: fuel, food and beverages, port and marina fees, communications, and any special provisions you request. Think of it as a prepaid expense fund that the captain manages on your behalf.
According to industry data from the Greek Yachting Association and leading central agents operating in Greek waters, the typical APA for a crewed motor yacht charter in Greece is 25–35% of the charter fee. A motor yacht burning 300 litres per hour covering long distances in the Cyclades will have a higher fuel component than a catamaran doing short hops in the Ionian.
Here is what matters: the APA is reconciled at the end of your charter. The captain keeps a detailed log of every expense — receipts for fuel, port fees, provisions. If you spent less than the APA, you get the difference back. If you spent more, you settle the balance. There are no hidden costs. Everything is documented and transparent.
Step 4: VAT in Greece — The Numbers You Need
VAT applies to the charter fee only — not the APA. Under the current Greek VAT framework for 2026, the rate depends on the yacht's charter licence classification and the duration of the voyage. For standard crewed charters exceeding 48 hours, the reduced rate of 12–13% applies. For yachts holding international cruise classification, rates can be reduced to 5.2%. For shorter charters under 48 hours, the standard 24% rate applies.
The 2026 Greek VAT circular (Circular E.2006, published February 2026) introduced additional clarity on the treatment of commercial yacht operations. Your broker will confirm the exact applicable rate in your contract. It is never a surprise.
Step 5: The Preference Sheet — Where Your Charter Becomes Personal
Approximately four to six weeks before your charter, your broker will send you the preference sheet. This is the document that transforms a booked yacht into your yacht.
Guest details: Full names, nationalities, passport numbers, dates of birth. The captain needs this for embarkation paperwork with Greek port authorities under current Hellenic Coast Guard regulations.
Dietary requirements: Allergies, intolerances, favourite cuisines, special diets. The chef builds an entire week of bespoke menus around this information.
Beverages: Preferred wines, spirits, beers, soft drinks, water brands. A yacht does not carry unlimited stock — specific provisioning matters.
Activities and interests: Snorkelling, paddleboarding, jet skiing, fishing, diving, onshore excursions, cultural visits. The crew plans each day's programme around your stated interests.
Special occasions and travel logistics: Birthdays, anniversaries, flight numbers, arrival times, transfer requirements. Your broker coordinates everything.
A note for PAs: This is the step where you earn your weight in gold. Consult every guest individually. Do not assume you know what your principal's wife drinks — ask. The crew will do the rest.
Step 6: The Captain's Briefing and Itinerary Finalization
Two to three weeks before embarkation, your broker arranges a call between you and the captain. The captain presents a draft itinerary based on your preference sheet, weather forecast trends, and their deep knowledge of the cruising area. In Greek waters, the Meltemi wind in the Cyclades can blow Force 5–7 in July and August, fundamentally changing which routes are comfortable.
Under MYBA Clause 4, the itinerary remains subject to the captain's discretion based on weather and safety. The itinerary is a framework, not a prison. A good captain balances your wishes with seamanship so seamlessly you never notice the planning behind it.
Step 7: Boarding Day — What Actually Happens
Most crewed motor yacht charters in Greece operate noon-to-noon. Sailing catamarans typically embark at 17:00 and disembark at 09:00. A typical boarding day:
Arrival at the marina. In Athens, most charters depart from Marina Zeas in Piraeus or Flisvos Marina — both 30–45 minutes from Athens International Airport.
Welcome aboard. The crew greets you at the gangway. Luggage is taken to cabins. Tip: use soft bags, not hard suitcases.
Safety briefing. The captain conducts a mandatory safety briefing as required by the Hellenic Coast Guard and MYBA guidelines — life jackets, emergency procedures, water sports rules, smoking areas, local regulations. About 15–20 minutes.
First meal and departure. Lunch on the aft deck as you watch Piraeus recede. The captain sets course for your first anchorage. Your charter has begun.
Step 8: During the Charter — Your Broker Doesn't Disappear
Your broker remains available throughout the charter as per MYBA guidelines. If something is not right — cabin temperature, crew issue, itinerary concern — you call your broker. They act as intermediary between you and the yacht management company. On a well-managed charter, you will rarely need to call. But knowing the line is open changes the dynamic entirely.
Step 9: Disembarkation — APA Settlement and Farewell
On the final morning, the captain presents the APA account — a complete breakdown of every expense with receipts. Unused APA is refunded. Overspend is settled by the charterer.
Crew gratuity is separate from both charter fee and APA. According to MYBA guidelines, the industry standard in the Mediterranean is 10–15% of the base charter fee, given directly to the captain who distributes it among the team. It is entirely at your discretion and should never be solicited by crew.
The Complete Timeline at a Glance
At booking: Sign MYBA contract → Pay 50% deposit
4–6 weeks before: Complete preference sheet → Submit guest passport details
30 days before: Pay balance (remaining 50% + APA + VAT)
2–3 weeks before: Captain briefing → Draft itinerary → Transfers arranged
Boarding day: Arrive at marina → Safety briefing → First lunch → Depart
Disembarkation: APA reconciliation → Optional crew gratuity → Transfer to airport
Why This Matters More Than Choosing the Right Yacht
Choosing the yacht gets all the attention. But the process that follows is what determines whether your charter runs smoothly. A well-managed booking process means the chef already knows your daughter is allergic to shellfish, the captain has scouted sheltered anchorages in case the Meltemi picks up, and the transfer driver is waiting at arrivals with your name on a board.
This is what a broker does. Not just find the yacht — manage everything between the handshake and the gangway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the deposit for a yacht charter in Greece?
The standard deposit under the MYBA Charter Agreement is 50% of the net charter fee, payable upon signing the contract. The remaining 50% plus APA and VAT is due 30 days before embarkation. For example, on a €30,000 weekly charter, you pay €15,000 at signing.
What does APA cover on a crewed yacht charter?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance covers all variable onboard expenses: fuel, food and beverages, port and marina fees, communications, and special requests. The captain manages this fund and provides full accounting with receipts at the end of the charter. Unspent APA is returned to you.
What VAT rate applies to yacht charters in Greece in 2026?
Under the current Greek VAT framework, crewed charters exceeding 48 hours benefit from a reduced rate of 12–13% on the charter fee. Yachts with international cruise classification may qualify for rates as low as 5.2%. VAT applies to the charter fee only, not to the APA. Your broker confirms the exact rate before you sign.
What is a yacht charter preference sheet and when do I fill it out?
The preference sheet is a detailed questionnaire sent 4–6 weeks before your charter. It covers guest passport details, dietary requirements, beverage preferences, activity interests, special occasions, and travel logistics. The crew uses this to provision the yacht and prepare a personalised experience.
What happens if I need to cancel my yacht charter?
Cancellation terms are defined in MYBA Clause 11. The financial consequences depend on when you cancel relative to the charter start date. Charter trip insurance is strongly recommended to cover cancellation costs due to unforeseen circumstances.
Does my broker stay involved during the charter?
Yes. Under MYBA guidelines, your broker remains available throughout the charter as your point of contact. If any issue arises onboard, you can reach your broker directly. They liaise with the yacht management company on your behalf.
Written by George P. Biniaris, Managing Broker at George Yachts Brokerage House LLC and IYBA Charter Active Member. Licensed skipper working across Greek waters — Cyclades, Saronic, Ionian, and Sporades. All figures reflect verified 2026 market rates from central agents operating in Greek waters.
If you are planning a crewed yacht charter in Greece this summer and want someone who handles every step personally, book a free consultation at calendly.com/george-georgeyachts/30min — no obligation, no pitch.
