Conflicting information concerning theGreek yacht cruising tax.

[Sybarite]

The RYA posted this on their site on Feb 15:

Greek TPP tax update

European Commission considers the Greek TPP tax to be lawful under EU law.

The RYA has received confirmation that the European Commission considers the Greek TPP tax to be lawful under EU law.

At the end of 2013 legislation was adopted by the Greek Parliament which, on implementation, will introduce a tax on boats of 7m in length or more that visit or are kept in Greek Territorial Waters – regardless of the boat’s flag state or the nationality of the owner. As yet there has been no indication when (if at all) collection of this tax will start.

The RYA, through its membership of the European Boating Association (which represents 1.5 million boaters across Europe and of which the RYA is a founder member), wrote to the European Commission to express concern that the tax appeared to conflict with the Commission’s efforts to encourage recreational boat tourism within the EU. The RYA also sought the Commission’s views on whether the tax was compatible with EU taxation laws.

The European Commission has reviewed the Greek legislation and has concluded that the tax does not contravene EU law. It remains to be seen, however, whether the recent political changes in Greece will have an impact on the speed with which this legislation is implemented (if at all).

In the meantime, the RYA continues to engage with the Commission in relation to its coastal tourism policy.


OTOH the French site STW makes reference to this article but disagrees that this is the definitive postion.

The STW lawyer, Me. Ariel Dahan, made an official complaint in June 2014 which was formally acknowledged in Sept. No official response has yet been made to this complaint. In addition, the person who is piloting this information for the site also made a complaint on a personal basis concerning the non-respect of the 1982 Montego Bay conventions. He has not had a response yet either.

Therefore, although the RYA is announcing this as a done deal, the French do not agree.

FWIW.


PS Me Dahan has recently written to ask for an update.

 

[Chris_Robb]

The RYA posted this on their site on Feb 15:

Greek TPP tax update

European Commission considers the Greek TPP tax to be lawful under EU law.

The RYA has received confirmation that the European Commission considers the Greek TPP tax to be lawful under EU law.

At the end of 2013 legislation was adopted by the Greek Parliament which, on implementation, will introduce a tax on boats of 7m in length or more that visit or are kept in Greek Territorial Waters – regardless of the boat’s flag state or the nationality of the owner. As yet there has been no indication when (if at all) collection of this tax will start.

The RYA, through its membership of the European Boating Association (which represents 1.5 million boaters across Europe and of which the RYA is a founder member), wrote to the European Commission to express concern that the tax appeared to conflict with the Commission’s efforts to encourage recreational boat tourism within the EU. The RYA also sought the Commission’s views on whether the tax was compatible with EU taxation laws.

The European Commission has reviewed the Greek legislation and has concluded that the tax does not contravene EU law. It remains to be seen, however, whether the recent political changes in Greece will have an impact on the speed with which this legislation is implemented (if at all).

In the meantime, the RYA continues to engage with the Commission in relation to its coastal tourism policy.


OTOH the French site STW makes reference to this article but disagrees that this is the definitive postion.

The STW lawyer, Me. Ariel Dahan, made an official complaint in June 2014 which was formally acknowledged in Sept. No official response has yet been made to this complaint. In addition, the person who is piloting this information for the site also made a complaint on a personal basis concerning the non-respect of the 1982 Montego Bay conventions. He has not has a response yet either.

Therefore, although the RYA is announcing this as a done deal, the French do not agree.

FWIW.

What ever the position is with the EU, there are current discussions in progress between the Min of Finance and the new gargantuan Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, with whom I am in weekly contact on a number of issues. Things are happening - what they are is still on the dark side.

The problem with the UE Commission complaints system is that its so easy to make a formal complaint, there are hundreds in the queue. I am waiting for one to go through on the Temporary Import of Non EU Yachts, which for some reason, only understood by our hellenic cousins, has started treating NON EU yachts as Aircraft, so giving them only 6 months in 12 months in Greek waters or face a large fine. They changed this last August 2014 from the EU standard of 18 months without restriction. to fit in with the changes to the marine regulations regarding the TPP (Cruising Tax). So guess what - American, Australian etc. boats are going to Turkey.

The new computerised registration system is up and running. Many yachts are already on it howeverI am not sure if they have got yachts that entered before 2014 on it yet.

The CA will put any news on its website, but no doubt it will be on here pretty quick.