Yacht Engaged in Trade (YET)

Private Yacht. Commercial Flexibility.

The Yacht Engaged in Trade (YET) scheme provides eligible privately registered yachts with the ability to undertake limited commercial charter activity while retaining their private yacht status outside the periods in which they are operating under their YET certification.

For yacht owners looking to combine private use with selective charter activity in European waters, YET offers a flexible alternative to maintaining a permanently commercial registration.

The scheme is currently available through participating flag-state registries for qualifying yachts, with Greece among the EU destinations accepting YET operations.

What Is YET?
YET stands for Yacht Engaged in Trade.

It is a flag-state certification framework that allows an otherwise privately registered yacht to undertake qualifying commercial charter activity for a limited number of days while maintaining its private registration for the remainder of the year.

The yacht must meet the applicable commercial safety and technical requirements while operating under the YET certification.

Current YET programmes are designed for large yachts, with participating registries generally requiring yachts to be 24 metres or more and compliant with the applicable Large Yacht or equivalent commercial code.

In simple terms:
Private Yacht → YET Certification → Limited Charter Activity → Return to Private Use
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility ultimately depends on the yacht's flag state, certification, construction, size and intended operation.

Typical YET requirements include:
  • Yacht of 24 metres or more
  • Privately registered yacht
  • Registration with a flag state offering a YET programme
  • Compliance with the applicable commercial yacht safety code
  • Appropriate safety and technical certification
  • Maximum permitted passenger capacity under the relevant YET programme
  • Compliance with the specific charter restrictions applicable to the flag state
For example, the Isle of Man YET scheme requires yachts to be 24m or over and built to the Large Yacht Code/REG Yacht Code Part A, while the Cayman Islands scheme applies to yachts of 24m and over and allows qualifying yachts to charter for up to 84 days per calendar year.

The process

1

YET Certification

The yacht obtains and maintains its YET certification through its flag state.

2

Greek Eligibility Review

The yacht's documents, certification and proposed charter operation are assessed against Greek requirements.

3

Greek Charter Permission

The appropriate e-CharterPermission is obtained through the Greek system.

4

Charter Operations

The yacht can conduct qualifying charter activity in Greece within the conditions and period of the Greek permission.

How Greece Accepts YET
Bringing YET Yachts Into the Greek Charter Market

Greece now provides a route for qualifying YET-registered yachts to undertake charter activity through the Greek e-CharterPermission framework.

Charter Services specifically states that yachts registered under the YET Scheme can obtain a Greek e-Charter License.

This means that a YET yacht does not simply arrive in Greece and begin chartering under its foreign YET certificate.

Instead, the yacht must satisfy the applicable Greek requirements and obtain the appropriate Greek charter permission.

Advantages

1

Retain Private Status

Maintain a private yacht registration while accessing limited commercial charter opportunities.

2

Charter in Greece

YET yachts can access a Greek charter licensing route when the applicable requirements are met.

3

Greater Flexibility

Ideal for owners who want to charter the yacht for part of the year while retaining private use for the remainder.

4

Commercial-Grade Compliance

YET certification requires the yacht to maintain the applicable commercial safety and technical standards while operating under the scheme.

5

International Opportunities

YET programmes are designed to facilitate limited charter operations across participating European jurisdictions, including Greece.

Required Documents
The exact documentation depends on the yacht's flag and YET certification, but typically includes:
  • Certificate of Registry
  • YET Certificate / Certificate of Compliance
  • Temporary YET Certificate of Registry, where applicable
  • Commercial yacht safety certification
  • Classification documentation
  • Minimum Safe Manning Certificate
  • Crew documentation
  • Yacht ownership/company documents
  • Charter agreement
  • Insurance documentation
  • Required Greek tax documentation
  • TEPADACH documentation, where applicable
  • Documents required for the Greek e-CharterPermission application
Additional documentation may be required depending on the yacht's flag, size, passenger capacity and intended itinerary.
Ready to Charter Your YET Yacht in Greece?
Let us assess your yacht and guide you through the Greek requirements

Our role is to help bridge the gap between the yacht's existing YET status and the requirements for operating commercially in Greece..