Greek law update

dslittle said:
I remember her - I was told that she did not have the authority to collect!!! I used to go to the PP Office where it was hit or miss if anyone was at home. The other port where a 'lady' collected dues was Platerias. She was often quite unpleasant (unless you were German). A bit of thread drift but I heard that Olga has become the Mayor there. Is that correct?
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Seeing as we'll likely be visiting a number of harbours like this this summer, could someone explain what's expected in these situations? Previously, I was under the impression that if a PP comes up and asks you to visit the office, then you do so and pay whatever it is they ask for.
However, what's the deal with some random woman walking along charging boats? How do you know they're legit, and not just some chancer making an easy buck?
 
Gaios: the lady issues receipts on behalf of the Corfu local authority. She has been doing so for a at least a couple of years. Only present during the main season June to August. If you're not on the boat when she appears, she doesn't chase for payment: she normally appears about 1900 or so......

Platerias: the lady there is also acting on behalf of the local authority and issues receipts in their name. She, however, was only charging for water and electricity. When we were on the wall by where the flots do their change overs and there is no electricity or water, she didn't come to collect anything.

Other places vary: Agios Euphemia has a kiosk for example, where a berthing bloke sits. He'll help you berth and will then charge you the standard rate as outlined above giving you a local authority receipt. He'll also sell you water and electricity if you want it. At Zakinthos however, a random bloke will appear and try to take money from you. He has no receipt book and no standing: refuse his help and go to the PP yourself if motivated. Watch out for a torrent of abuse and possible early morning disturbances from the trip boats, which are all captained by his mates..... On second thoughts avoid Zakinthos: it's the pits.

A general rule of thumb is that if the person collecting money is dealing with all boats on a set schedule or from some sort of office and is clearly issuing receipts, then the local authority has taken charge and the person is probably legit. There are a number of places this is happening: Gaios and Platerias are two. Others include Katakolon, Poros in the Saronic and Agina. If you have concerns, then go to the PP and find out what they have to say about the matter.
 
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duncan99210 said:
Gaios: the lady issues receipts on behalf of the Corfu local authority. She has been doing so for a at least a couple of years. Only present during the main season June to August. If you're not on the boat when she appears, she doesn't chase for payment: she normally appears about 1900 or so......

Platerias: the lady there is also acting on behalf of the local authority and issues receipts in their name. She, however, was only charging for water and electricity. When we were on the wall by where the flots do their change overs and there is no electricity or water, she didn't come to collect anything.

Other places vary: Agios Euphemia has a kiosk for example, where a berthing bloke sits. He'll help you berth and will then charge you the standard rate as outlined above giving you a local authority receipt. He'll also sell you water and electricity if you want it. At Zakinthos however, a random bloke will appear and try to take money from you. He has no receipt book and no standing: refuse his help and go to the PP yourself if motivated. Watch out for a torrent of abuse and possible early morning disturbances from the trip boats, which are all captained by his mates..... On second thoughts avoid Zakinthos: it's the pits.

A general rule of thumb is that if the person collecting money is dealing with all boats on a set schedule or from some sort of office and is clearly issuing receipts, then the local authority has taken charge and the person is probably legit. There are a number of places this is happening: Gaios and Platerias are two. Others include Katakolon, Poros in the Saronic and Agina. If you have concerns, then go to the PP and find out what they have to say about the matter.
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I can concur with Zakinthos - we went to the top of the harbour where we saw a local boat washing down on a tap. No one came near us. But round on the East side there was a certain amount of agro going on between a German boat and the said ticket collector!

Poros (Saronic) In 2011, Peter the water man was usurped by the port police for collecting harbour dues. He still collects water and lecy (at huge price) but Port police insisted every one went there. I was there for 2 weeks and the PP enthusiasm dropped off after day 2 and queues out the door. No one bothered after that as they had no idea what to do. What is happening now?

The reason why he was taken off? Someone said "take a look at his house"!!! I hope I don't malign him.
 
duncan99210 said:
Gaios: the lady issues receipts on behalf of the Corfu local authority. She has been doing so for a at least a couple of years. Only present during the main season June to August. If you're not on the boat when she appears, she doesn't chase for payment: she normally appears about 1900 or so......

Platerias: the lady there is also acting on behalf of the local authority and issues receipts in their name. She, however, was only charging for water and electricity. When we were on the wall by where the flots do their change overs and there is no electricity or water, she didn't come to collect anything.

Other places vary: Agios Euphemia has a kiosk for example, where a berthing bloke sits. He'll help you berth and will then charge you the standard rate as outlined above giving you a local authority receipt. He'll also sell you water and electricity if you want it. At Zakinthos however, a random bloke will appear and try to take money from you. He has no receipt book and no standing: refuse his help and go to the PP yourself if motivated. Watch out for a torrent of abuse and possible early morning disturbances from the trip boats, which are all captained by his mates..... On second thoughts avoid Zakinthos: it's the pits.

A general rule of thumb is that if the person collecting money is dealing with all boats on a set schedule or from some sort of office and is clearly issuing receipts, then the local authority has taken charge and the person is probably legit. There are a number of places this is happening: Gaios and Platerias are two. Others include Katakolon, Poros in the Saronic and Agina. If you have concerns, then go to the PP and find out what they have to say about the matter.
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Thanks for the info. So it seems like it's fairly obvious. If a person looks official and dish out receipts, then fair cop. If it's just some bloke who sticks his hand out, avoid him.
 
Cardo said:
Thanks for the info. So it seems like it's fairly obvious. If a person looks official and dish out receipts, then fair cop. If it's just some bloke who sticks his hand out, avoid him.
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To be fair to the Greeks, this has never happened to me. Quite a few ports in the Aegean are adopting the fee collection method rather than having the PP do it and it all seems perfectly above board. Italy is a different matter though, several tried it on us.
 
chuckr said:
can you explain italy please
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It was a few years ago but at Ventotene, Scario and Crotone we were asked for 'port fees' by various individuals who appeared to have no official position. When we refused they eventually gave up but we felt quite threatened. We believed the first two of these to be free and were not sure about the third but no official person approached us in any.
 
Cardo said:
Thanks for the info. So it seems like it's fairly obvious. If a person looks official and dish out receipts, then fair cop. If it's just some bloke who sticks his hand out, avoid him.
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At other places there will be a local restaurateur or bar owner who is the patriarch (?Godfather?) of the town and will, most likely, assist you with mooring but there will be no mooring charge. Of course, it is only polite to patronise their establishment. Kalamos springs to mind.

A few times when I have chartered boats from flotilla companies I found that we got a particularly warm welcome and much mooring assistance and even complimentary drinks. After a while I realised that they thought we were the first arrival of a flotilla and that seating us in their bar would bring a score of other customers. As I am buying an ex flotilla boat, I toyed with the idea of keeping the company logo on the boat in the hope of further generous hospitality!
 
Ravi said:
At other places there will be a local restaurateur or bar owner who is the patriarch (?Godfather?) of the town and will, most likely, assist you with mooring but there will be no mooring charge. Of course, it is only polite to patronise their establishment. Kalamos springs to mind.

A few times when I have chartered boats from flotilla companies I found that we got a particularly warm welcome and much mooring assistance and even complimentary drinks. After a while I realised that they thought we were the first arrival of a flotilla and that seating us in their bar would bring a score of other customers. As I am buying an ex flotilla boat, I toyed with the idea of keeping the company logo on the boat in the hope of further generous hospitality!
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We left the Ionian a few years ago but I do remember George in Kalamos. I was quite happy to play the Marinero/Taverna game with him but I did used to feel so sorry for the taverna just 10 yards past his. It was always seemed empty - not many people were prepared to walk past Georges place after he had been so "friendly and helpful" on arrival.
 
vyv_cox said:
It was a few years ago but at Ventotene, Scario and Crotone we were asked for 'port fees' by various individuals who appeared to have no official position. When we refused they eventually gave up but we felt quite threatened. We believed the first two of these to be free and were not sure about the third but no official person approached us in any.
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If in doubt, always check up with the Garda Costiera.

There's on notorious chap in Zante who tries to persuade the innocent to part with €25 for a water-refill. The official price for water and power (and I've never been ashed for port dues) is €5.
 
It's my understanding that the Greek Ministry of Finance still has to decide how the tax will be collected. The last I heard they were hoping for implementation by the end of April.

I think the wise option is to assume that the tax will be implemented sometime this year. If you're hoping it's going to die a quiet death I reckon you'll be very disappointed.
 
The new law that the original post is about, clearly refers to this tax and how its payment will be checked.

Tony Cross said:
It's my understanding that the Greek Ministry of Finance still has to decide how the tax will be collected. The last I heard they were hoping for implementation by the end of April.

I think the wise option is to assume that the tax will be implemented sometime this year. If you're hoping it's going to die a quiet death I reckon you'll be very disappointed.
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Tony Cross said:
But Glyka said the latest law makes it all clear so I was asking what it says.......
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As the ball is in the MoF court, they are waiting for the troika to get out of there hair. Nothing has as yet gone back to MoS,
so they cannot start making collection instructions.

As the annual payments will be made on line, using the taxis sytem, this system is an annual one from jan to dec. It would be difficult to back date the start date to jan 2014, especially as no collection instruction have been sent out, let alone prepared!

I there for think that it will be impossible for them instigate the system mid year. So my bet is that it WILL start Jan 1 2015.
 
Chris_Robb said:
As the ball is in the MoF court, they are waiting for the troika to get out of there hair. Nothing has as yet gone back to MoS,
so they cannot start making collection instructions.

As the annual payments will be made on line, using the taxis sytem, this system is an annual one from jan to dec. It would be difficult to back date the start date to jan 2014, especially as no collection instruction have been sent out, let alone prepared!

I there for think that it will be impossible for them instigate the system mid year. So my bet is that it WILL start Jan 1 2015.
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We're all still guessing - and it's no good applying logos, as the Greeks invented that and probably feel free to change it.

So we'll have to wait, in apprehensive silence, and see.
 
Charles,

Yes. And meanwhile:

1. As far as I am aware, Port Police have not yet been trained to apply the new tax collection systems
2. Meanwhile, they have been consulted on the introduction of annual DEKPA reporting as apart from previous 30 day reporting
3. And the Cruising Association has been given assurances there will be periods of grace with no fines payable when the tax is first introduced

So I see no need to worry about visiting Greece, or launching and cruising, until further information is published. And we know the maximum downside.
 
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