Buying a GR flagged but non-VAT paid yacht in Greece - advice please

[Airscrew]

Hi All,

we have sailed in the Ionian in Greece each year for some years in a syndicate.
So we might be familiar with some Greek paperwork, but doubtless not all...

We are planning to buy a yacht and continue sailing in Greece.
She is a 2019 built, Greek flagged, currently under charter, but coming off charter in a couple of months, and VAT is NOT paid.
I / we are British and reside in UK.

We are told that she can remain VAT not paid if she stays on a greek flag/registration, is removed from the charter status, and is moved out of Greek waters (say Montenegro) for a day every 18months to reset the Transit Log (presumably an LTL).

How accurate is this?
Does anyone with experience of this scenario have suggestions?

Many thanks in advance.
AirScrew.

 

[Tranona]

Accurate except it cannot stay on the Greek register as Temporary admission is only available to vessels owned by non EU residents AND registered outside the EU. You can register it on the UK SSR. I think you will find that the 18 months bit is not so onerous as Greek customs seem only to count the time the boat is being used towards the 18 months. When it is not in use you lodge the documents with customs. Suggest you take local advice as to how it works where you are located - maybe the charter company can help you navigate customs.

 

[Bobc]

I suggest you join the Cruising Association. You will get a lot of help and advice from people based in Greece.

 

[Irish Rover]

@Tranona is, as usual, on the ball with his advice. I bought a VAT unpaid boat in Preveza some years ago and put it on the Jersey registration - UK was still in the EU then. It was already on a transit log and I spoke to customs before completing the contract to be sure they were happy with the procedure we were following and would issue a new TL after the purchase was completed. I'd advise you do the same. There have been suggestions on here previously that the sale must take place outside the EU. That wasn't my experience, and customs were happy in my case, but I'd still advise checking with them in advance.

 

[billskip]

I could be totally wrong, but I was told you had to have Greek residency to privately own a Greek flagged boat.

 

[Airscrew]

I suggest you join the Cruising Association. You will get a lot of help and advice from people based in Greece.

Thanks. We are in the CA. Also we get conflicting advice / opinions in Greece, including agents and officials in the Ionian area

 

[Tranona]

Thanks. We are in the CA. Also we get conflicting advice / opinions in Greece, including agents and officials in the Ionian area

That is not unusual. Greeks have always had difficulties applying EU law. This is a good explanation oceanskies.com/yachts/guides/temporary-admission-temporary-importation-for-yachts-a-guide/ You will see that application of the rules is left to individual states, hence the advice to speak to the local customs office as it is they who will govern what you do. There are many boats in Greece in the same situation as you will be and they seem to get along fine.