The AADE, the authority responsible for collecting the recreational craft licence fee, has made a statement to the English Cruising Association and the Cruiser department of the DSV has finally explained how the fee (TEPAI) is to be paid. Owners must go to the harbour office in person at the start of the season or when entering Greece and have a form filled out there to pay the tax. An agent can also be appointed, but a power of attorney must be issued in Greek.
The form must now be taken to a local Greek bank branch and the money deposited. The bank confirms this on the form. The owner must then return to the harbour office with the form. An online transfer or payment via a website with a credit card, as announced, is currently not possible, and no start date for this could be given. All in all, this is a very unfortunate solution: if you want to pay the fee at the weekend, on public holidays or after the bank has closed, you will have to wait until Monday at worst. For this reason, KA is also asking the Greeks to postpone the levy until online payment is possible.
The only way to avoid the tax is to put the boat ashore and not use it. However, this is also associated with visits to the authorities: An application must be made to the Port Police, and the ship's papers must also be deposited there for the duration of non-use. This is a regulation that some owners may not be happy with. To alleviate the rush of owners at the start and end of the season, at least the harbour operator K&G Marinas, which runs the harbours of Gouvia, Lefkas, Kalamata and Zea, has made an arrangement with the local Port Police staff. There, owners can deposit their papers in the marina if they provide the marina with a corresponding authorisation in advance. Owners should discuss this with the marina office staff.
Click here to go to AADE Website with payment details and here to a List of FAQs in English language.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
