⚓ Why Greece? – A Strategic Yachting Location with EU Advantages

In recent years, Greece has evolved into an attractive and practice-oriented jurisdiction for commercial yacht operation within the European Union.
Its combination of maritime tradition, a clear legal framework and strong international connectivity makes it particularly appealing to owners who prioritise legal certainty, efficient VAT management and flexible operational models.

Compared to more complex flag states such as Malta or Cyprus, Greece offers:

  • a pragmatic regulatory environment,
  • simplified incorporation procedures for small shipping companies,
  • a proven VAT model (12%–24%) for charters,
  • and moderate substance requirements, all within full EU compliance.

If you plan to operate a yacht commercially in the Mediterranean – either through a mixed-use charter structure or as part of an investor setup – Greece provides a legally secure, economically viable and internationally recognised solution.

🛥️ Your Options at a Glance

CPS-GREECE-YACHT-CHARTER-Model®

A structured model enabling the acquisition and operation of yachts under a commercial registration, allowing both owner and third-party charters.
This includes the formation of a small Greek shipping company to manage and charter the vessel.

CPS-GREECE-Yacht-Wealth-Management-Model

Designed for acquiring and operating taxed yachts for private use within a legally secured framework.

⚠️ Specific Regulatory Aspects in Greece

Greece maintains a distinctive regulatory relationship with Turkey, particularly relevant to EU-flagged yachts operating in the region.
Where VAT compliance through a Greek VAT ID number and proper invoicing is insufficient for permanent operations, it may be economically and legally beneficial to register the vessel in Greece and establish a local shipping entity for full commercial use.

✅ Our Services for You

  • Incorporation and administration of a Greek shipping company
  • Registration and flagging of the yacht
  • Drafting and legal review of charter agreements
  • Tax advice and representation before Greek authorities
  • Ongoing legal and administrative support

Since 2019, we have been working closely with partner offices in Athens and Thessaloniki to offer tailor-made structuring options for the professional use of yachts under the current legal and fiscal framework in Greece – both for owner-charter and third-party operations.

📞 Contact Us

We are happy to provide individual consultation tailored to your project:

The Yacht Attorney® – Legal clarity for complex yachting decisions.