The procedure for boat registration in Greece follows the same regulations for Greek and EU nationals. The procedure is a straightforward one, given the country’s well developed maritime industry. Boats are ships that have a small capacity and size, therefore the registration is simpler compared to other types of ships.
As such, if you are interested in the procedure for boat registration in Greece, our Greek law firm can present all the legal formalities you must comply with. Please know that you can also obtain legal representation in this procedure from our team.
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What documents are necessary for boat registration in Greece?
Boat registration in Greece is bound by the completion of simple legal formalities, in which the owner of the boat presents a file of documents that will later on constitute the basis of the registration.
For the registration, the following are required:
- the proof of ownership (the sale agreement signed between the seller and the buyer);
- a copy of the applicant’s passport (the notarized version is accepted);
- a copy of the insurance certificate signed for the vehicle;
- a copy of the certificate issued by the builder of the boat;
- evidence of tax payment.
The application file must also include the technical data of the boat along with the details of the persons who are the crew of the boat, provided that the boat requires staff (this can be the case when commercial activities are involved).
Please mind that our team of Greek lawyers can help you in the process of translating/notarizing any paperwork, as we can put you in contact with our partners who can offer these types of services.
In general, the process for boat registration in Greece can take around 7 working days, but in some cases, it can take longer than this.
It is also worth knowing that starting with 2002, citizens of the European Union (EU) can easily purchase and own a boat and other similar ships registered under the Greek flag.
Does one need a boat license in Greece?
A boat license can be required in specific cases. This can apply if the boat is used for personal or commercial purposes. In the list below, our team of lawyers in Greece highlight some of the important matters all foreigners should know:
- a person can own or rent a boat in Greece without a boat license as long as the respective vehicle has maximum 30 HP;
- if the vehicle is above 30 HP, a Power Boat Level 2 is required;
- in the case in which the boat is used for commercial purposes, such as the transportation of persons, then it is necessary to have at least 1 authorized skipper;
- the skipper must hold a valid license and have an age above 18 years old;
- a skipper/captain must be the holder of 3 of the 4 types of boat permits that are recognized in Greece as well.
A captain is allowed to sail waters that belong to the Greek national territory if the person holds the following:
- an International Certificate of Competence (ICC);
- International Proficiency Certificate;
- the Bareboat Cruising Course.
Besides the 3 certificates presented above, one can also provide the Intermediate Cruising Standards.
Please mind that if the boat is used for commercial activities, it is mandatory to have at least 2 crew members, namely the skipper and the captain, as per the rules of the Bareboat Charter Greek Port Authorities.
Boat companies in Greece
If you completed the boat registration in Greece and you want to start a business founded on shipping services then you must know that foreigners can register a Greek Yacht Shipping Company (NEPA). The company can be set up for a duration of maximum 30 years and it requires a minimum share capital of EUR 10,000.
The NEPA company is mainly addressed to Greek nationals and to EU citizens, as they can be the sole founders with the right of owning 100% of the shares (it needs at least 2 shareholders). We invite you to contact our Greek law firm if you want to register a boat in Greece and to start a NEPA business.