Greece

Scope

Private-yacht temporary-import eligibility in Greece depends on flag, owner/user normal residence and tax status. Foreign vessels do not all automatically receive the same period.

Official reference link (individual provisions in this field have not been rechecked online): Special Procedure for Temporary Importation of private pleasure

Ports of entry/departure

Qualifying non-EU-flag private yachts should report arrival to port authorities at their first Greek entry port and obtain a customs Transit Log as applicable. Reviewed official information provides no complete nationwide designated-entry-port list for every private yacht. Confirm with the first port before sailing.

Official sources: AADE: Temporary Importation of Private Pleasure Boats

Report arrival to the first port's authorities, then submit Transit Log information and evidence through AADE's digital system.

Official reference link (individual provisions in this field have not been rechecked online): Special Procedure for Temporary Importation of private pleasure

Personnel-check reminder: confirm with the receiving authorities in the Greece, for every person, passport validity, nationality-based visa or prior-permission requirements, eligibility to arrive by sea, permitted stay dates, and arrangements for crew changes and leaving the vessel. Air-arrival visas, cruise-group concessions or a travel account concerning one nationality cannot be extended to a visa exemption for everyone on a private yacht. Vessel stay and personal residence permissions must be assessed separately. This section makes no blanket visa-free assurance.

Important 2026 update | European Entry/Exit System (EES): Since April 10, 2026, EES has been fully operational at the external border crossings of the 29 participating countries. Eligible non-EU short-stay travellers may need to register passport details, facial images/fingerprints and entry/exit times. Exemptions apply; applicability cannot be determined solely by the vessel's flag. Private yachts must confirm processing arrangements with the actual receiving border port; this does not mean every domestic port can provide clearance.

ETIAS status (November 3, 2026): The official EU website states that it is not yet operational and applications are not being accepted. It is not a travel authorisation currently required for purchase. Recheck once implementation dates are announced.

Official sources: EU EES participating countries · EES implementation timetable · Current ETIAS status

Private vessels over 7 m meeting official conditions may apply for a Transit Log, normally with 18-month temporary import. A 6-month extension may be requested, to no more than 24 months overall. Qualifying temporary-import vessels under 7 m use a TIC. Confirm boundary lengths and other cases with customs.

EU vessel Temporary Admission (separate from personal permitted stays): Qualifying private yachts registered outside the EU and used mainly by eligible residents outside the EU can normally be used temporarily within the EU customs territory for 18 months, with customs duty/import VAT temporarily relieved. Taxes may become due if conditions are not met, the vessel is used commercially or it is not re-exported on time. This is not an 18-month personal visa.

Official source: EU private-boat TA FAQ

Quarantine and biosecurity

No uniform biosecurity inspection procedure covering private yachts themselves was found. Animals, plants and products entering Greece/the EU may be subject to official quarantine and border-inspection rules, requiring checks by item, origin and whether landed. General cargo checks must not be described as stores inspections for every yacht.

Reference: AADE: official controls for animals, plants and their products

Prohibited and restricted items

Animals, plants and products follow Greek/EU import and official quarantine rules. Some need permits or border inspection. Available official information is not a complete yacht stores restricted-items list. Confirm weapons, medicines, endangered-species products and goods to be landed by category with the competent authorities.

Official reference: AADE: official controls for animals, plants and their products

Arrival formalities

Qualifying non-EU-flag private yachts report at their first Greek entry port and apply for the applicable electronic Transit Log. Eligibility and documents depend on flag, owner's normal residence, EU VAT status and other conditions. This does not apply to every vessel.

Mariner case report: In 2025, Noonsite relayed a yacht's report of a €300 fine at Agios Nikolaos for failing to apply online for the electronic Transit Log beforehand. Another 2025 sailing notice reported that some ports had begun requiring advance applications and described online payment/approval problems. These third-party accounts concern individual cases and differences in enforcement at that time, not an official uniform fine or every port's current practice. Before departure, check application and payment steps through AADE's official system according to vessel eligibility.

Official sources: AADE: Temporary Importation of Private Pleasure Boats

Re-export when temporary import expires, notify customs at the final departure port and close the electronic Transit Log. Intermediate-port crew/passenger arrival/departure records remain subject to the responsible port authority.

In Greek waters, TEPAI vessel charges apply regardless of flag to private pleasure craft and other covered vessels over 7 m overall. Check and pay through eTEPAI under applicable rules. TEPAI is not all port charges or temporary-import taxes.

Official reference link (individual provisions in this field have not been rechecked online): Special Procedure for Temporary Importation of private pleasure