Non-Greek Yachts Now May Charter In Greece

Created by doina. Last modified on 2004-03-23 22:53:48
Countries: Greece

Cabotage, the requirement to have a Greek flag to charter was removed at the end of 2002. However, for a boat to charter in Greece it must be inspected and certificated to Greek law (as per other EU members). This is a bureaucratic nightmare and it appears that as yet no-one yet jumped over all the hurdles. It is illegal to charter a non-Greek flagged boat in Greece if it does not have the relevant certification. Most people who charter there end up getting a Greek partner (though it is no longer necessary for the Greek partner to hold 51%) simply to do the paperwork which is extremely complicated. There are also significant financial advantages to being under Greek flag as you pay tax as per Greek merchant marine rates - ie very little.

Rod Heikell