Shipping to Greece from Australia

A

arcus

New Member
Joined
8 Jan 2006
Messages
6
Visit site
Hi I currently live in Australia and I am a registered Marine Surveyor of 10 years experience and a marine Journalist writing for five magazines. I want to relocate to Greece to work and import my 40 foot timber yacht ..anyone done it or know of any major drawbacks??? I would appreciate any input,
Thankyou.
 
http://www.yacht-transport.com are the major shipping company specialising in moving boats. Probably less chance of damage than sending as deck cargo but probably more expensive. I came up from Australia to Greece a couple of years back and it took 6 months. apart from the real and present danger from pirates in the Gulf of Aden it is a really good trip and not that demanding.

For sure you are going to have to pay VAT on your boat when it arrives but I am sure you know that - can pay in any EU country and that covers you so just choose the one with the lowest VAT rate..

Ships and boats are mega in Greece. Because of all the islands and seas the majority of internal freight and passenger transport is by ship and boat. The sailing/motor yacht industry which is centred in Piraeus is very successful as are the various charter and flotilla companies spread throughout the the islands. I would guess there are more flotilla and charter yachts available in Greece than any other EU country.

You would face the same difficulties as any other immigrant - need to learn the language (although many Greeks do speak English) and the need to do research before you arrive to find potential employers. Not sure what the visa restrictions are for Australians wanting to live an work in Greece but the Greek consulate in Aussie will tell you.

One other thing - unless it is special - wood boats are not that sort after in Europe. Stacks of traditional ones around in Greece and Turkey but yachts.... Not sure...
regards
Michael
 
Hi there MichaelE
Much obliged for your reply...thanx for the site for yacht transport ..will give them a whirl...visited your website ,very interesting...Did not know about the fact one can pay VAT in ANY EU country, very interesting, but isnt that a bit complicated??? If it turns out to be too expensive to ship my boat, sadly I will have to sell her ..I spent five years building it too! Ah well! Maybe I can build another in Greece if I can find the materials...epoxy glass etc...I suppose it wont be a problem!!! another question if I may, Is it easier to live on the south side of Crete in view of the prevailing Northerlies??? Just a thought!...Oh yes, I must be dumb but what the hey are ;previews' in this forum... Dont know how to access 'em or what they are!!! Help!
Regards
 
Arcus, Crete and Karpathos are some of the windiest places in the Aegean.
Not many yachts visit the south side of Crete, and Crete is very hot in the summer.
If you want to work in the yacht business you'll probably be better off nearer Athens or over in Levkas or Corfu, the hubs of Ionian sailing.
I suggest you fly over for a visit before making any big decisions.
Berths are more difficult in the Aegean, but you could definitely live on your
wooden boat in the Ionian. At anchor near Nidri for example. Although there
are plenty of Brit expats trying to make a living from yachties already.
 
Hi David
Thanx for your input..............a very sensible idea to visit first, we will be going en-route to England in june to check it all out.
I heard Crete was windy!!!! Take the point about being nearer to the hub of action! .....Cheers
 
I have heard of someone who researched VAT for a boat without proof of payment. She found the country with the lowest VAT rate was NOT the most important factor but the value of the boat. You can only get the VAT receipt at your first port of call in the EU. People talk of VAT certificates but I have only seen VAT receipts and an offical valuation. The certificates I have seen have been untested scams.

The Greek valuation system is that an tax offical consults a table and agrees the value with your surveyor. The table works on registered age and length only. [ get my message ?] Qualtity, condition and class [Swan or Bavaria ] is not considered I am told. Nobody looks at the vessel. I don't know anyone who has seen this table.

You will need to go to a Greek court to get regisered for VAT prior to all this business, which takes about three weeks in total and I understand, a few years ago, a thousand Euro for services rendered .

There are agents in Greece and other EU countries, that make a living out of doing VAT for sailors.
 
HI Scarlett
Thankyou for your info...very interesting indeed and makes a lot of sense...I have always found there is no easy method of foiling the bureaucratic mind...best just to either import or cruise off at the end of your designated 'stay' time, pay up or leave" Syndrome...the way of the world we live in!! However, all very useful info for my planning, thankyou
Arcus.
 
I understand there is no 'pay up or leave' system in the EU.

The system is 'I will impound your boat and you must get the VAT paid plus the penalty for not having done so. If you do not do so within 28 days I will sell your boat to my brother and if there is any change, which i doubt, ' I will let you have it in a few months'.
 
at present your are allowed to 'visit' for 18 months and then you must either pay up or leave. Not sure how long you must leave for or if you can return after, say one month and then have another period vat free. Actually trying to establish this at the present as this is something I may be doing this year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top