Buying an EX Charter Yacht in Greece

The following update from the YBW.COM forum

Advice on buying a boat in Greece!

Hello! I want to buy a boat in Greece. What are the pitfalls? How do I register VAT paid? Are there any hidden costs? Do I need to go to anyone for advice? I intend to retire and live-aboard in the next year - want to buy now and look around this summer!

YOU dont need to register VAT paid unless you are buying a boat from outside the EU and importing it to an EU member country - in which case VAT has to paid at the level applicable in that country. Much simpler to buy a boat which is already EU country flagged eg UK.

If buying a boat that carries the flag of an EU country make sure that the seller can prove that VAT has been paid. An original VAT invoice is the usual document and should insist that that document should be passed to you as a condition of the sale.

In theory when entering an EU country local customs & excise can ask to see proof that VAT has been paid, although Ive never been asked for it! If you are buying a boat from another EU resident then no VAT is involved, although it is best to get evidence that VAT has been paid. You will find that boats from other countries are likely to have better paperwork trails than many UK boats - particularly older ones. You may also need to get involved in de-registering a boat from another registry, although normally this is the vendor's problem.

Be aware that many Greek boats are ex charter boats, and may be offered ex VAT. This means that you will have to pay the charter operator VAT (23%) for which you will get an invoice. Make sure you include this in your calculations. You will also need to pay to deregister the boat and transfer ownership to you. There are also some older charter boats where VAT has never been paid as before 2002 they were sold (legally) VAT free.

Thinking of Buying a Boat in Greece and need help? 

Contact us at www.yachtsurveysgreece.com

Bavaria 44 Yacht Survey in Lakki Marina Leros Greece

While waiting for the weather to clear in Lakki Marina Leros (38 Knot winds and stormy!) We have picked up another Yacht Survey on this popular Bavaria 44. This was the first Bavaria by J&J Designs, which in 1993 was tasked with giving the range a sharper look and better performance.

J&J introduced bulbed keels and a more efficient rudder design and a sleeker, lower hull profile. The Bavaria 44 is a big yacht in all respects, with six berths in three cabins including a suite forward and a second heads aft. The saloon is not ideally arranged for offshore use but works well in harbour. A charter-orientated Holiday version was also offered, but it tends to fetch lower prices today.

Easily handled by two thanks to her in-mast roller reeling main sail and furling genoa, with all controls tailed back to the cockpit.

 Sleek lines and spacious accommodation which rivals many much larger boats.  

No ferries back to Samos today!


Thinking of buying a boat in the Greek Islands and need help? Contact me at info@yachtsurveysgreece.com

Pre-Purchase Yacht Survey in Lakki, Leros Marina Beneteau 57

Back on the Greek Island of Leros this week, and a Yacht Survey for Pre-Purchase on this 57 footer. Designed to eat up the miles shorthanded, and built by Bénéteau and Farr Yacht Design. A great Yacht for demanding sailors with blue water cruising in mind.

Leros Marina, located  at the safest part of Lakki bay, which is completely protected from all the winds, including the ferocious S.E. Sirocco (or "Evros" in Greek), offers the opportunity for memorable moments, in a well-known cruising & sailing area, the South Aegean Sea. The private fenced area of 50.000 m2, is divided in a modern accommodated marina with up to 220 berths, 9 floating pontoons equipped with mooring lines, electricity and water and a fully equipped boatyard with spaces up to 600 boats on the dry-dock.