Running costs

Motor Yacht Charter Running Costs in Greece: APA, Fuel and the 2026 Picture

What you actually pay on top of the base fee, why fuel is the swing factor on a motor yacht, and how to budget it honestly.

Last updated June 2026

What the running costs actually are

The base charter fee is only the start. It covers the yacht, its full crew and insurance. On top of it sit four predictable lines, and on a motor yacht one of them does most of the moving. APA, the Advance Provisioning Allowance, is a pre-paid fund of roughly 30 to 35% of the base. It is not a fee, it is your money: the captain draws from it for fuel, food and drink, berths, port charges and incidentals, then reconciles it against actual spend at the end of the week and returns the balance. Ask for the running account during the charter so there are no surprises. Fuel is the swing factor. A displacement motor yacht sips fuel at low speed, but a planing motor yacht running at 22 knots to outpace the meltemi burns far more than the same week spent mostly at anchor. Two charters on the same yacht can differ by tens of thousands of euros purely on how hard the itinerary is driven. This is the honest reason a relaxed, anchorage-led week costs less to run than a marina-hopping sprint. Greek VAT is 13% on commercial charters longer than 48 hours, so every weekly charter qualifies for the reduced rate. Crew gratuity is discretionary, conventionally 15 to 20% of the base, paid in cash at the end. TEPAI, the Greek cruising tax, is a small monthly charge by length, paid from the APA. Add it together and the all-in figure on a motor yacht typically runs about 55 to 65% above the base fee.

How to budget it honestly

Budget the base fee from the rate card, then add roughly 33% APA, 13% VAT and about 17.5% gratuity to reach an all-in figure. Hold the APA loosely: a calm, anchorage-led itinerary often returns a meaningful balance, while a fast, long-distance route can run the fuel line to the top of the range. In the 2026 market, with oil prices elevated, fuel has been the line most worth planning around, which is also why some charterers chose sail or catamaran for the season. A good broker prices all three honestly so the decision is made on facts, not optimism.

Notes from George

Ask the captain for the APA running total mid-week. A well-run yacht shares it without being chased.
If fuel is your concern, tell the captain you prefer an anchorage-led pace. The route adapts and the fuel line drops.
APA is reconciled against receipts and the balance is returned. It is your float, not a charge.
Gratuity convention is 15 to 20% of the base, in cash, at the end. Same regardless of yacht type.
A displacement-hull motor yacht at 10 to 12 knots is dramatically cheaper to run than a planing hull at 22 knots. Match the hull to how you actually want to cruise.

Frequently asked

About motor yacht charter running costs in greece: apa, fuel and the 2026 picture

Is APA refundable?

Yes. APA is a pre-paid float, not a fee. The captain spends from it during the charter and reconciles against receipts at the end, returning any unspent balance. If spend exceeds the float, you top it up.

How much fuel does a motor yacht use in a week?

It depends entirely on speed and distance. A week spent mostly at anchor with short hops uses a fraction of what a fast, marina-to-marina itinerary burns. On a planing motor yacht run hard, fuel can be the largest single line in the APA.

Is a catamaran or sailing yacht cheaper to run than a motor yacht?

Generally yes on fuel, because they spend more time under sail or move at lower speeds. The trade-off is pace and range. We price motor, catamaran and sail honestly so you can weigh running cost against how you want to cruise.

What is TEPAI?

TEPAI is the Greek cruising tax, a small monthly charge scaled by yacht length, paid from the APA. It is modest relative to fuel and provisioning and is handled by the crew.

What VAT applies to the running costs?

Greek VAT is 13% on commercial charters longer than 48 hours, the rate that applies to a weekly charter. It is calculated on the base charter fee, not on the APA reconciliation.

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