Yacht Charter Glossary
Greek VAT on Yacht Charters
Also known as: Greek Charter VAT · Charter VAT 5.2-13% · Greek Yacht Tax
Last updated August 2026
Full explanation
Greece sets a reduced statutory VAT rate of 13% on commercial crewed yacht charters that exceed 48 hours (Law 5073/2023), with the standard 24% applying to short charters of 48 hours or less, static charters and bareboat.
On top of that sits a licence-based reduction system: yachts holding the relevant certification (the Protocol of General Inspection classification) are invoiced on a reduced taxable value, cutting the effective rate by 40 to 60% depending on the certification and the itinerary. What 2026 rate sheets actually show, yacht by yacht: 5.2% on large yachts certified for international cruises (we see it on 44 to 50 metre charters), 6.5% on yachts certified for Greek-waters cruises (common on crewed catamarans and certified motor yachts of every size), 7.8% on some short-range Argosaronic itineraries, and 12% on yachts invoiced from the 24% base with a 50% reduction (common on motor yachts without the lower certification).
The same model of yacht can carry a different rate than her sister ship, because the rate follows the individual yacht's papers, not the type. What VAT applies to: the base charter fee, the delivery fee, and any extras invoiced through the yacht's operating company. What VAT does NOT apply to: the APA reconciliation (the spend itself carries its own VAT in the captain's receipts), the gratuity, and any direct payments to external vendors (a private chef ashore, a helicopter transfer arranged outside the yacht).
Even at the statutory ceiling, Greece is one of the most favourable charter VAT regimes in the Mediterranean: level with Croatia's 13% and well below Spain (21%) and Italy (22%).
With the certification reductions, the invoiced Greek rate is frequently the lowest in the Mediterranean outright.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
VAT is a real five-figure line item on a luxury charter, and the certified rate is money in your pocket: on a €150,000 week, 6.5% instead of 13% is €9,750 back. A broker who quotes every yacht at one flat rate, any flat rate, is not reading the yacht's papers. George quotes the exact certified rate for each yacht in writing before you commit.
Worked examples
€150,000 weekly crewed charter on a yacht certified at 6.5%
VAT at 6.5%: €9,750. Total invoice: €159,750 + APA + gratuity. The same week on a 12% yacht carries €18,000 of VAT, and the statutory ceiling of 13% would be €19,500. The certification difference is real money.
Short charter of 48 hours or less, or a static charter
These fall under the standard 24% statutory rate rather than 13%, before any certification-based reduction. A day charter or a yacht hired while it stays on the berth does not qualify for the weekly crewed treatment.
Frequently asked
About greek vat on yacht charters
Is Greek charter VAT 13%, 12% or 6.5%?
All of these exist, plus 5.2% and 7.8%, because the invoiced rate follows the individual yacht's certification and itinerary. The statutory rates are 13% for crewed charters over 48 hours and 24% otherwise; licence-based reductions of 40 to 60% then produce the invoiced figures. On 2026 rate sheets, weekly charters run from 5.2% on large internationally certified yachts, through 6.5% and 7.8%, to 12%. Your quote states the exact rate for your yacht.
Is VAT included in the charter quote?
Some brokers quote pre-VAT (cleaner for comparison), some quote inclusive. Always ask: 'Is this number gross or net of VAT, and at which certified rate?' The difference between 5.2% and 13% matters at scale.
Can I reclaim Greek VAT as a non-EU resident?
Generally no on charter services consumed in Greece. VAT recovery on services for personal consumption is not available under EU rules, regardless of resident status.
Does the APA also get VAT?
The APA itself does not. The expenses paid from APA do, every receipt the captain provides will show local VAT on fuel, food, port fees, all already paid by the time you settle the reconciliation.
Is there a way to legally reduce Greek VAT on a charter?
Yes, and it is built into the system rather than a trick: charter a yacht whose certification carries the reduced taxable value. That is the difference between 13% and 6.5% or 5.2% on the invoice, and it is one of the specific things George checks when shortlisting yachts for you. The rate is set by the yacht's papers and the itinerary, and it is stated in your contract.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
APA is an upfront sum, and the MYBA contract fixes how it works rather than what it costs: in practice it ru…
Charter Fee (Base Fee)
The charter fee is the base weekly rate paid for the use of the yacht and its crew. It excludes APA, VAT, de…
Delivery Fee
A delivery fee is a charge billed when the yacht must travel from its home base to your chosen embarkation p…
MYBA Charter Contract
The MYBA Charter Agreement is the industry-standard contract for luxury yacht charters worldwide, published …
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