Below is a clear, up-to-date overview of VAT charges for charter yachts in Greece by charterers

🇬🇷 VAT ON YACHT CHARTERS IN GREECE

1️⃣ Standard VAT rate

• 24% VAT = standard Greek VAT rate

This applies by default unless a reduced rate is legally applicable.

2️⃣ Reduced VAT for yacht charters (most common case)

✅ 

13% VAT

 (reduced rate – current regime)

VAT is reduced to 13% when all of the following apply:

✔️ The yacht is a professional / commercial charter yacht

✔️ The charter exceeds 48 hours

✔️ The yacht departs from and operates in Greece

✔️ A charter contract is properly issued

✔️ The yacht complies with Greek charter regulations

➡️ This is the standard VAT rate for weekly or multi-day charters in Greece.

3️⃣ When 24% VAT applies

❌ 

24% VAT

 applies when:

• The charter duration is 48 hours or less (daily / short charter)
• The yacht is private (non-commercial)
• The charter does not meet Greek professional charter requirements
• The service is considered a simple hire, not a qualifying charter

4️⃣ Is 6% VAT applicable?

⚠️ 

No, 6% VAT does NOT apply to yacht charters

The 6% VAT rate in Greece is reserved for:

• Books, medicines
• Theatre, cultural services
• Certain medical services

👉 It does not apply to yacht charter services.

Older references to ~6–6.5% VAT relate to abolished regimes (pre-2020 “deemed use outside EU” calculations) and are no longer valid.

5️⃣ Summary table

6️⃣ Important notes

• VAT is charged on the charter fee only (not APA, fuel, port fees if separately invoiced).
• VAT rules are strictly audited in Greece.
• Incorrect VAT application can lead to retroactive tax assessments and fines.