living on a boat in greece

[greekjock]

Originally Posted by Pauli

Hello, i'm new. Have been travelling in my campervan since January and am now in Turkey. My plan was to buy a boat in Turkey but have decided to head for the Ionian. Can anyone put me straight on the tax paid/not paid situation? Is this VAT or something else?

It's quite simple. I assume you are looking at second hand boats .... so.

If you buy a boat anywhere in the EU ,you need to check that VAT has been paid on the boat...no matter where it has been paid.If it has not been paid then you should negotiate on the price asked in order to compensate for this.

In other words...(1) you buy a privately owned boat in Greece ...It was originally built in the Uk (for example) and VAT was paid at the time, so it will have a VAT paid certificate . That's fine .
(2) you buy an ex charter boat in Greece...As it has been used commercially,the original owner (charter Co) will have reclaimed the VAT on the original purchase price,so as you are a private non commercial owner you will have to pay VAT based on the value of the boat.

If you have to pay the VAT when you buy the boat,you must pay it at the rate of VAT in the country where you buy the boat,and in Greece for example this is as I recall 24% ..which adds a lot to your price.

If you buy in Turkey in order to sail over to Greece you should make sure that the boat you buy has an VAT paid certificate from an EU country , as, when you get to Greece you are likely to be asked for it and if you don't have it you will be charged for the VAT there and then. Expensive.!!!

Essentially,the best plan is to buy a boat which has a VAT paid certificate included. Ask to see it.

[Pauli]

Many thanks, you have painted a very clear, informative picture for me.