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Crewed yacht charter Greece
TL;DR: A crewed yacht charter in Greece usually starts from Athens and spends a week in the Cyclades, the Saronic Gulf or the Ionian. Crewed catamarans run about EUR 15,000 to 45,000 a week; motor yachts start around EUR 50,000. Greek VAT, up to 13%, and APA come on top. June and September avoid the strongest meltemi winds.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rates are indicative, vary by yacht, season and itinerary, and are confirmed only in a charter contract.
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What a crewed Greece charter costs
| Yacht | Guests | Charter fee per week (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed sailing catamaran, 45–60 ft | 6–10 | EUR 15,000–45,000 |
| Crewed sailing yacht or gulet | 6–12 | EUR 15,000–60,000 |
| Motor yacht, 25–35 m | 8–12 | EUR 50,000–150,000 |
| Superyacht, 40 m+ | 10–12 | EUR 150,000 to 1,000,000+ |
On top of the charter fee:
- VAT: the 13% passenger-transport rate, usually applied to only part of the charter fee depending on the yacht's certified navigation category. In practice that's 5.2% for international-navigation yachts, 6.5% for domestic-navigation yachts, or 13% with no reduction. It's charged on the charter fee, not the APA, and the charter agreement sets the exact rate.
- APA: usually 20–35% of the fee, for fuel, food, drinks and port fees. It isn't a tax: it's a refundable advance, and anything unspent comes back to you.
- TEPAI: a monthly charge on yachts over 7 metres in Greek waters, whatever their flag (EUR 8 per metre per month for yachts over 12 metres). The owner pays it; it shouldn't appear on your bill unless the contract passes it on.
- Gratuity: customary, 10–20% of the charter fee. Like a restaurant tip: 10% is standard, 20% is for exceptional service.
Worked example: a 46-foot crewed catamaran for 8 guests at EUR 15,000, with 6.5% effective VAT (EUR 975) and about EUR 4,450 of APA spent, comes to roughly EUR 2,550 per person before gratuity.
How APA works, line by line: the charter cost guide.
Where to cruise
| Region | Highlights | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclades | Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Santorini | Classic Greece; expect wind in July–August |
| Saronic Gulf | Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses | Short hops from Athens; families and first charters |
| Ionian | Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca | Green islands, calmer water |
| Dodecanese | Rhodes, Symi, Kos | Longer charters, fewer yachts |
When to go
| Months | Conditions |
|---|---|
| May–June | Warm, calmer, lower rates. Sea still cool in May |
| July–August | Peak season. The meltemi blows hardest in the Cyclades; consider the Ionian or Saronic |
| September–October | Warm water, fewer crowds, good value |
Getting aboard
- Athens (ATH): most crewed charters start at Alimos or Lavrio marinas, 20–40 minutes from the airport.
- Mykonos (JMK) or Santorini (JTR): some yachts meet you in the Cyclades for a fee.
- Corfu (CFU) or Preveza (PVK): for Ionian charters.
Questions to ask before you book
- What effective VAT rate applies to this yacht (5.2%, 6.5% or 13%), and is it in the quote?
- If the meltemi blows, what's the alternative route?
- Is there a delivery fee to start in Mykonos or Corfu instead of Athens?
- Is the yacht's monthly TEPAI paid by the owner, or passed on in the contract?
Common questions
How much does a crewed yacht charter in Greece cost?
Crewed catamarans usually run about EUR 15,000 to 45,000 a week. Crewed motor yachts of 25 to 35 metres run about EUR 50,000 to 150,000, and superyachts go far higher. Add Greek VAT, APA of 20 to 35 percent, and a crew gratuity of 10 to 20 percent.
How much VAT is charged on a yacht charter in Greece?
Greece applies its 13 percent passenger-transport VAT rate to crewed charters, usually on only part of the charter fee, depending on the yacht's certified navigation category. That gives common effective rates of 5.2 percent for yachts certified for international voyages and 6.5 percent for domestic-navigation yachts; 13 percent applies where no reduction does. VAT is charged on the charter fee, not on the APA, and the charter agreement sets the exact rate.
What is the meltemi?
A strong, dry north wind in the Aegean, mainly in July and August, often 20 to 30 knots for days at a time. It mostly affects the Cyclades. The Saronic Gulf and Ionian Sea are more sheltered.
Other destinations
Ask about Greece availability
Send your dates, guest count and budget range. Established charter brokerages check crewed yachts free in Greece and reply with a shortlist and the full estimated cost.