e-CharterPermission

The Easy Way to Charter in Greece

Chartering a foreign-flag commercial yacht in Greece can involve complex regulatory, tax and documentation requirements. e-CharterPermission provides a streamlined digital route for eligible commercial yachts to operate under charter in Greek waters.

At Charter Services, we manage the application process on your behalf, helping owners, yacht managers, captains and authorised representatives prepare the required documentation, submit the application and navigate the approval proce

The e-CharterPermission system is operated through the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance.

What Is e-CharterPermission?
e-CharterPermission is the electronic Specified Period Charter Permission for eligible professional pleasure yachts recognised as commercial under the law of another country.

It allows qualifying non-Greek-flagged commercial yachts over 35 metres, constructed from steel, plastic/GRP or aluminium, to perform qualifying charter activity within Greece without following the full procedure associated with a standard Greek charter licence.

The application is submitted electronically through the Greek government's e-CharterPermission platform, with approval handled by the competent Port Authority.

In simple terms:
Eligible yacht → Prepare documents → Submit electronically → Government review → Approval → Charter in Greece
Who Qualifies?
The standard e-CharterPermission is designed for commercial yachts recognised as professional pleasure vessels under the law of their flag state.

To qualify, the yacht must generally meet the following criteria:

Yacht Eligibility
  • Over 35 metres in length
  • Non-Greek flag
  • Recognised as a commercial/professional pleasure yacht under its flag-state legislation
  • Constructed primarily from steel, plastic/GRP or aluminium
  • Able to meet the applicable safety and certification requirements
  • The required charter documentation must be in place

The official Greek government description specifically covers foreign-flagged professional pleasure yachts over 35 metres constructed from steel, plastic or aluminium.
Who Can Apply?
An application can be submitted by:

  • The yacht owner
  • The yacht-owning company
  • The yacht manager
  • The legal representative of the owning/operating company
  • An authorised representative or agent acting on behalf of the owner

The Greek administrative registry expressly permits applications by the owner, operator or an authorised person.
What About Wooden Yachts or Yachts Under 35m?
The standard Specified Period e-CharterPermission does not apply to yachts under 35 metres or wooden yachts.

Different procedures can apply to other commercial yachts, including transit arrangements and the e-CharterPermit / TEPADACH PLUS process. If your yacht does not meet the standard criteria, Charter Services can assess which Greek procedure applies.
Legal Basis
The e-CharterPermission framework is primarily based on Greek Law 4926/2022, which establishes the conditions under which professional pleasure yachts recognised under the law of another country can operate within Greek territory.

The legislation provides for an electronic Specified Period Charter Permission for qualifying foreign-flagged commercial yachts over 35 metres and specifies the applicable charter conditions and annual duration.

The process is administered electronically through the official e-CharterPermission / TEPADACH platform operated under the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.

The current National Registry also identifies the relevant implementing ministerial decision and Law 4926/2022 as part of the legal framework governing the process.

Requirements

Before submitting an application, the yacht must satisfy the applicable legal, operational and tax requirements. Key requirements include:

1

Eligible yacht

The yacht must be a foreign-flagged professional/commercial pleasure yacht over 35 metres and constructed from an eligible non-wooden material.

2

Signed charter agreement

A signed full-charter agreement must be available for the application.

3

TEPADACH

The applicable TEPADACH professional pleasure vessel fee must be paid.

4

Appropriate safety certification

The yacht must hold the required foreign professional yacht inspection certificate (PEXEPA) or, where applicable, the relevant SOLAS safety certification together with documentation confirming passenger and crew berths.

5

Minimum Safe Manning

A valid Minimum Safe Manning Certificate or equivalent flag-state certificate is required.

6

Tax requirements

The applicable Greek tax and VAT requirements must be satisfied, subject to any exemptions or provisions that may apply to the particular yacht or transaction.

7

Tax registration

The entity operating the yacht must satisfy the applicable Greek tax-registration requirements.

Technical Requirements Per Yacht Capacity

Yachts Under YET Scheme

New In Greece

Yachts registered under the YET Scheme can now also obtain a Greek e-Charter License . The Yacht Engaged in Trade (YET) scheme allows privately registered yachts (35m+) to operate commercially in certain EU waters—primarily France and Monaco and Now Greece — for up to 28 days per year without losing their private status

Read More  

Yachts Over 35 meters and Under 400 GRT

Technical Requirements

The Yacht will need to be Issued from a Greek Classification Society or from a Recognised Organisation a Foreign Commercial Yacht Inspection Certificate called PEXEPA .

or the Yacht (If Over 500 GRT and up to 12 Passengers)

Technical Requirements

Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate Official Flag State Document Evidencing Number of Crew & Guest Berths Minimum Safe Manning

Requirements For Superyachts

Technical Requirements for yachts over 12 passengers

SOLAS Passengers Ship Safety Certificate Official Flag State Document Evidencing Number of Crew & Guest Berths Minimum Safe Manning

Required Documents
To prepare an application, you should be ready to provide the following:
  • Signed full-charter agreement
  • Yacht nationality / registration document
  • Foreign professional yacht inspection certificate (PEXEPA), where applicable
  • Alternative SOLAS safety certification where applicable
  • Passenger and crew berth certification where required
  • Minimum Safe Manning Certificate or equivalent
  • Owner/operator identification
  • Company documentation, where applicable
  • Board resolution or Power of Attorney confirming the authorised representative, where applicable
The Greek National Registry currently identifies five principal supporting-document categories, with additional corporate documentation required where the applicant is a legal entity.

Government Application Procedure

1

Eligibility Check

We first confirm that the yacht meets the requirements for the applicable permission.

2

Document Preparation

We collect and review the yacht's registration, certification, charter and corporate documentation.

3

Application Submission

The required ownership, yacht and charter information is entered into the official e-CharterPermission system.

4

Government Verification

Once submitted, the yacht is initially treated as “unverified” while the competent authorities review the information.

5

Port Authority Approval

The relevant Port Authority reviews and approves the registered ownership/operator and yacht information.

6

Permission Issued

Once approved, the e-CharterPermission is issued digitally and can be maintained in digital or printed form.

7

Charter Operations

Once the permission and associated requirements are in place, the yacht can proceed with its qualifying Greek charter activity within the permitted period.

F.A.Q

Not for the standard Specified Period e-CharterPermission. Wooden yachts fall outside the standard eligibility criteria. Other Greek procedures may apply depending on the yacht and intended operation.

The legislation provides for 21 days per calendar year, with a possible extension of up to 7 additional days, subject to the applicable conditions. The current administrative registry reflects a maximum validity of 28 days.

TEPADACH is the Professional Pleasure Vessel Fee under the Law of Another Country. Payment of the applicable fee is a requirement for issuing the permission.

Ready to Charter in Greece?
Don't let Greek licensing and compliance procedures delay your next charter.

Let Charter Services manage the process for you

From eligibility and documentation to government submission and approval, our team provides specialist support throughout the e-CharterPermission process.