Registration & Compliance
Yacht Documents & Registration in Greece.
We are able to provide all types of personal or vessel documents you may need.
Buying a Yacht in Greece
Yacht Purchase in Greece
Buying a boat in Greece, the procedure to be followed is not the same in all cases. We will concentrate on three of the most usual cases.
a. Buying or Introducing a Boat with Greek Flag
The majority of listed boats carry the Greek Flag. Buying a Greek flag boat as a foreign national means the boat most probably has to change flag. The boat can remain in the new ownership under the Greek Flag under certain conditions and requirements; however the new owner (as a non-Greek National) usually prefers to change the registration to their own country. The majority of sailing yachts under Greek Flag above 30 feet are VAT exempt due to the charter status (professional use quality) they maintain.
After an agreement is reached for the purchase of the yacht, we draw a Memorandum of Agreement (M.O.A.) between the Seller and the Purchaser covering all parameters of the sale together with an inventory list. The Greek Law requires a certain bureaucratic procedure which safeguards the Buyer's interests and prevents any debts or financial burdens existing on the boat from following it after purchase.
It is our recommendation for the interested buyer to use a lawyer to act as representative on the purchase (we can provide this service). The lawyer will check boat titles and documentation required by the Greek State, inspect registry files and monitor the deletion procedure from the Greek Registry. Payments can also pass from Buyer to lawyer who pays the Vendor according to the terms of the Purchase Agreement. The cost for this service amounts to approximately Euro 850.
A boat that has no VAT paid will be required to pay VAT if sold to an E.U. National (unless the buyer's commercial activity includes boat chartering). VAT in Greece amounts to 24%. The duration of the purchase procedure from signing of M.O.A. to deletion from the Greek Register is approximately 5 weeks. The boat can be sailed by the new owner only after a Bill of Sale has been issued and signed by both Vendor and Buyer and the Deletion Certificate has been issued.
A yacht sold to a non-E.U. Citizen does not require payment of outstanding VAT but will require customs clearance from the E.U. The cost varies between ports and lies between Euro 400 – 600. Custom clearing normally takes no more than 3 working days.
b. Buying or Introducing a Yacht with E.U. Flag
Buying a boat in Greece with a E.U. but non-Greek Flag follows the same procedures as if the yacht is bought in another E.U. Country. We will draw a Sales & Purchase Agreement (M.O.A.) between Buyer and Vendor and follow the procedures as dictated by the E.U. State in which the yacht is registered.
c. Buying or Introducing a Yacht with a Non-E.U. Flag
The procedure in this case is similar to paragraph (b) above. We can also assist you in many other cases where you need to deal with the Greek state, including legal representation for NEPA companies, obtaining a Personal VAT / Tax number, and more.
Greek Commercial Flag
Introduction to NEPA Companies
NEPA (Maritime Company for Pleasure Yachts)
Registering under Greek commercial flag or setting up a Greek branch office and obtaining a Greek charter license are not sensible options for yachts chartering in Greece sporadically. Greece allows for the chartering of non-Greek registered yachts in Greek waters as long as they are EU flagged. A Greek-flagged commercial yacht may be owned and/or operated by legal entities such as a Limited Liability Company (EPE), a Company Limited by Shares (AE) or the most commonly used NEPA (Maritime Companies for Pleasure Yachts), introduced as a "single purpose vehicle" to own, manage or operate yachts.
NEPA is governed by Law 3182/2003. It is a commercial company with a definite duration not exceeding thirty (30) years. Its business scope is exclusively to acquire ownership, develop and manage leisure yachts under the Greek flag, qualified as professional. NEPA can be involved with or be part of other NEPA companies, and an AE or EPE company may be converted into NEPA by a decision of the General Meeting of shareholders.
NEPA is managed and represented by its Board of Directors (minimum three members). The shareholders may be Greek or EU nationals. Non-EU nationals may also be shareholders or directors as long as they own less than 50% of total shareholding. The minimum authorised share capital is set at Euro 10,000 payable upon establishment.
The Articles of Association are submitted to the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping and the Aegean to acquire a unique registration number included in every company document. The Board of Directors has a three-year term unless stated otherwise. The representatives must be insured to the Maritime Agents and Employees' Fund (TANPY) and registered with the Maritime Chamber.
Key NEPA Tax & Commercial Advantages
- ✓ No income tax payable on the profits of the company
- ✓ Transfer of shares bears no tax liabilities
- ✓ Yacht is VAT exempt
- ✓ Discounted marina and mooring fees
- ✓ Charter licence renewable every 5 years
- ✓ Greek-flagged yachts up to 20m may be bareboat chartered
- ✓ Fuel purchased net of VAT and other local taxes
- ✓ VAT on charter fees only 12% (payable by charterers)
- ✓ Materials and objects incorporated in the vessel may be purchased VAT free
The general registering under the Greek flag is an advantageous option where the intention is to charter on a fairly permanent basis in Greece. The only reason a non-Greek flag may be preferable is in relation to crewing: where a yacht is over 650 tonnes it does not have to comply with Greek crewing regulations and adheres to its flag state regulations instead.
The EU owner company of the yacht must establish a branch office in Greece and acquire a Greek VAT number in order to pay tax to the Greek State on all income derived in Greece. In such circumstances a yacht can charter in Greek waters if the charter starts or ends at a port outside Greece.
Good to Know
Yacht Documentation Greece FAQs
What documents does a foreign yacht need to cruise in Greece?
A foreign-flagged vessel cruising in Greek waters requires a valid Transit Log (DEKPA) issued by the Greek Port Authority on arrival, proof of valid insurance, the vessel's registration certificate, and the skipper's licence. Vlamis handles Transit Log applications and all port authority formalities on behalf of foreign owners and charter guests.
Can Vlamis register my yacht under the Greek flag?
Yes. Vlamis manages Greek flag registration for sailing yachts, motor yachts and commercial vessels. Greek flag registration requires a seaworthiness certificate, ENFIA tax clearance, proof of ownership and compliance with Greek maritime safety regulations. We handle the full process including liaison with the Hellenic Shipping Register.
What is a seaworthiness certificate and how do I get one?
A seaworthiness certificate (EPLO) is a Greek maritime authority document confirming your vessel meets safety standards for operation in Greek waters. It is required for all charter operations and for Greek flag registration. Vlamis coordinates the survey and inspection process with certified marine surveyors and submits the application on your behalf.