Update 22 nov 2013
The Cruising Association has been given details (in Greek!) of a *** circulation tax, approved on 20 nov, to be levied on all leisure craft (over 7m LOA) spending time in Greek waters. The tax is payable from 1st January 2014. Our first attempt at translation reveals:
The tax will apply to small vessels of all nationalities (commercial or leisure) over 7m LOA, as defined on their registration documents, which sail, moor or anchor in Greek waters. The tax will allow circulation for one calendar year. The annual charge will be:
7m - 8m €200
8m – 10m €300
10m – 12m €400
Over 12m €100/metre
Vessels over 12m have two options to reduce costs; pay €10 per metre per month, or be “permanently based” in Greece and obtain a 30% discount from the annual fee. Conditions to be met to prove “permanently based” have yet to be published.
“Electronic” payment will be possible annually in December for the following year, or on entry into Greek waters. When arriving in a port of entry, EU boats obtaining a DEKPA, and non-EU boats obtaining a Transit Log, can pay cash on arrival. Boats already in Greece on 1 Jan 2014 will need to pay at their local tax office or port authority to remain in Greece. Receipts for payment must be carried with the DEKPA or transit log, and may be asked for at any time. If proof of payment cannot be produced on request, a penalty fee of 100% (no discounts!) will be added to the tax due.
The circulation tax is not repayable for periods spent outside Greece, but remains valid for the whole period covered by the payment.
There are some confusing definitions in our crude translation, which imply that some motorboats under 12m may not have to pay the tax. Sorting this out will call for a proper translation, which is being arranged.
To keep this in context, two and three years back two previous laws were passed introducing circulation taxes for larger vessels. However, in both years, procedures to implement the laws were suspended after very strong objections from influential owners of larger boats.
The proposed law is the result of two years of negotiations between opposing points of view; tourism interests, versus taxation needs. It is a compromise, and as we understand it, it contains some anomalies.