CHARTER · GREECE

Chartering a boat in Greece: licence, rules and safety

Last verified:

EMERGENCY AT SEACall JRCC Piraeus on +30 210 411 2500. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.

Licence and charter rules

Charter: Under Law 4256/2014, pleasure boats up to 24 m overall may be chartered without a master and crew (bareboat). The skipper's qualifications and how they are certified are set by ministerial decision.

Hellenic Coast Guard (text of Law 4256/2014) · Hellenic Coast Guard (text of Law 4256/2014) ▾
isktheea.hcg.gr (2026-10-14): “Πλοία αναψυχής με ολικό μήκος μέχρι και είκοσι τέσσερα (24) μέτρα, επιτρέπεται να εκναυλώνονται χωρίς να υπηρετεί σε αυτά πλοίαρχος και πλήρωμα.”
isktheea.hcg.gr (2026-10-14): “καθορίζονται τα προσόντα του κυβερνήτη, ο τρόπος πιστοποίησής τους, καθώς και κάθε άλλο σχετικό θέμα.”

Arriving by boat

Boats over 7 m, your own or rented, must pay the cruising fee TEPAI online before arrival. The DEKPA pleasure-craft document was abolished in 2020. A Transit Log is issued only on proof of TEPAI payment; for non-EU-flagged private yachts, customs can collect TEPAI as part of the Transit Log process.

Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) · Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece · Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece · Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Greece ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14): “If you plan on entering Greece by sea on your boat or a rented boat of a total length of over 7 metres, you must pay the Recreational and Daily Tour Cruise Ships fee (TEPAI). This must be done online prior to arrival.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “Based on article 68 of law 4666/19-03-2020, DEKPA has been abolished.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “Yes, in order to issue a Transit Log, you need to submit the TEPAI payment receipt.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14): “privately owned recreational ships flying non-EU flags, as part of the Transit Log issuing process.”

Season and weather

The meltemi (etesian) is a strong wind that regularly blows over the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean from May to September. It can blow for several days without a break and bring high waves and strong currents. Be very cautious when sailing.

Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) · Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14): “The Meltemi or Etesian is a strong wind that regularly sweeps the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean seas from May to September. It can blow uninterruptedly for several days. This wind may bring high waves, strong currents and may disrupt transportation.”
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14): “be very cautious if sailing or boating”

Forecast: HNMS (emy.gr/en/marine) publishes a shipping forecast covering the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It warns that gusts can be 40% stronger than forecast and maximum wave height up to twice the significant height.

Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) · Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) ▾
emy.gr (2026-10-14): “The Mediterranean and Black Seas, east of the Straits of Gibraltar”
emy.gr (2026-10-14): “BE AWARE: WIND GUSTS CAN BE 40 PERCENT STRONGER THAN THOSE GIVEN HERE AND MAX WAVE HEIGHT UP TO TWICE THAN SIGNIFICANT”

Rules on the water

Cyclades (Paros / Mykonos): Small boats anchored in Parikia bay must anchor where they do not block ferries berthing or leaving, and skippers should listen on VHF channel 12 so they receive the port authority's orders.

Paros Port Authority (Λιμεναρχείο Πάρου), notice 2221.1/800/2026, published by the Paros–Antiparos Municipal Port Fund · Paros Port Authority (Λιμεναρχείο Πάρου), notice 2221.1/800/2026, published by the Paros–Antiparos Municipal Port Fund ▾
portofparos.gr (2026-10-14): “αγκυροβολίας τους σε θαλάσσια περιοχή εντός του όρμου Παροικίας ν. Πάρου που δεν εμποδίζει τους χειρισμούς των πλοίων της ακτοπλοΐας”
portofparos.gr (2026-10-14): “στους κυβερνήτες για χρήση του καναλιού 12 στα VHF”

Hazards and warnings

Cyclades (Paros / Mykonos): In summer, Parikia bay and harbour on Paros are busy with ferries and other shipping. The Paros Port Authority issues special instructions for ferry movements there during the summer season.

Paros–Antiparos Municipal Port Fund (notice of the Paros Port Authority) ▾
portofparos.gr (2026-10-14): “εντός του όρμου και του λιμένα Παροικίας κατά τη θερινή περίοδο, λόγω της αυξημένης ακτοπλοϊκής και θαλάσσιας κίνησης”

Cyclades (Paros / Mykonos): Up to three ferries at a time may enter Parikia bay, and their wash can endanger swimmers on the bay's beaches and damage moored or anchored boats.

Paros Port Authority (Λιμεναρχείο Πάρου), notice 2221.1/800/2026, published by the Paros–Antiparos Municipal Port Fund · Paros Port Authority (Λιμεναρχείο Πάρου), notice 2221.1/800/2026, published by the Paros–Antiparos Municipal Port Fund ▾
portofparos.gr (2026-10-14): “Εντός του όρμου Παροικίας ν. Πάρου δύνανται να εισέρχονται μέχρι τρία (03) Ε/Γ ή Ε/Γ-Ο/Γ”
portofparos.gr (2026-10-14): “για την πρόληψη και αποτροπή ατυχημάτων λουόμενων σε παρακείμενες παραλίες εντός του όρμου από τυχόν δημιουργούμενο υψηλό κυματισμό (απόνερα)”

On the radio

Greece has three NAVTEX stations: Iraklio (South Aegean), Kerkyra/Corfu (Ionian Sea) and Limnos (Aegean). They broadcast in English on 518 kHz and in Greek on 490 kHz.

Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service · Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service · Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service · Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service ▾
hnhs.gr (2026-10-14): “εκπέμπονται από τρείς (3) Ελληνικούς Σταθμούς εγκαταστημένους στο ΗΡΑΚΛΕΙΟ (35° 19´ 19,7´´ – 25° 44´ 54,9´´) με χαρακτηριστικό [Η],[Q],[S] αντίστοιχα για το Νότιο Αιγαίο”
hnhs.gr (2026-10-14): “στη ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ (39° 36´ 25,7´´ – 19° 53´ 28,4´´) με χαρακτηριστικό [Κ],[Ρ] αντίστοιχα για το Ιόνιο Πέλαγος και ΛΗΜΝΟ (39° 54´ 24,7´´ – 25° 10´ 50,7´´) με χαρακτηριστικό [L],[R] αντίστοιχα για το Αιγαίο.”
hnhs.gr (2026-10-14): “στη συχνότητα 518 kHz στην Αγγλική γλώσσα”
hnhs.gr (2026-10-14): “η Εθνική Υπηρεσία NAVTEX στη συχνότητα 490 kHz στην Ελληνική γλώσσα”

Charter bases in Greece

CorfuCyclades (Paros / Mykonos)

Before you sail

All rescue numbers for Greece Print an emergency card Person overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose powerThunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doRan aground? What to do

Frequently asked

What are the rules for bareboat charter in Greece?

Under Law 4256/2014, pleasure boats up to 24 m overall may be chartered without a master and crew (bareboat). The skipper's qualifications and how they are certified are set by ministerial decision.

When is the best time to sail in Greece, and when is storm season?

The meltemi (etesian) is a strong wind that regularly blows over the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean from May to September. It can blow for several days without a break and bring high waves and strong currents. Be very cautious when sailing.

How do I clear in when arriving in Greece by boat?

Boats over 7 m, your own or rented, must pay the cruising fee TEPAI online before arrival. The DEKPA pleasure-craft document was abolished in 2020. A Transit Log is issued only on proof of TEPAI payment; for non-EU-flagged private yachts, customs can collect TEPAI as part of the Transit Log process.

What is the emergency number at sea in Greece?

Call JRCC Piraeus on +30 210 411 2500. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Other charter countries

CroatiaTürkiyeItalySpainFranceMaltaPortugalBritish Virgin IslandsSaint-MartinSint MaartenSt Vincent & the GrenadinesGrenadaSt LuciaMartiniqueGuadeloupeBahamasThailandMalaysiaSeychellesFrench PolynesiaNew CaledoniaFijiSwedenNorwayDenmark

Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.