Free tool
Yacht Charter True-Cost Calculator
The headline charter fee is only part of the bill. Add tax for where you start, the APA for running costs, delivery, local fees and the crew gratuity to see what a week on board really costs — per guest and per day.
Estimated true cost
€229,500
That’s 53% on top of the €150,000 headline fee.
Per guest
€22,950
Per guest per day
€3,279
| Charter fee | €150,000 |
|---|---|
| VAT at 13% | €19,500 |
| APA 30% of fee, refundable if unspent | €45,000 |
| Payable before boarding | €214,500 |
| Crew gratuity 10% of fee, at the end | €15,000 |
| During / after the charter | €15,000 |
| Total | €229,500 |
Onboard spending from the APA (fuel, food, berthing) may include local taxes at the standard rate. This is an estimate, not a quote.
How the calculation works
- Tax is applied to the charter fee and any delivery fee at the rate for the area where the charter starts. In France and Italy it is reduced in proportion to documented time outside EU waters.
- APA is a percentage of the charter fee, paid in advance and reconciled at the end.
- Local fees such as cruising permits are multiplied by guests and days.
- Gratuity is a percentage of the base charter fee, paid at the end.
Tax by cruising area (defaults)
| Area | Default |
|---|---|
| Croatia13% VAT on the charter fee for qualifying charters starting in Croatia. | 13% |
| GreeceTypically 5.2%–13% for eligible charters (up to 24% if not eligible). Defaulting to 13%. | 13% |
| Italy22% VAT on the share of the charter spent in EU waters (time outside must be proven). | 22% |
| France & Monaco20% VAT, reduced pro rata for documented time outside EU waters. | 20% |
| Spain & Balearics21% VAT on the full charter fee (Canary Islands differ). | 21% |
| MontenegroGenerally 0% VAT in Montenegrin waters; Croatian VAT may apply if you cross over. | 0% |
| TürkiyeNo single rate — depends on flag, structure and itinerary. Enter the rate on your quote. | Enter from quote |
| BahamasConsolidated 14% charter tax on foreign yacht charters. | 14% |
| British Virgin IslandsNo VAT, but a cruising permit fee per guest per day (US$16 foreign-based, US$4 BVI-based boats). | 0% |
| US Virgin IslandsNo VAT, though local charges may apply — check your quote. | 0% |
Questions & answers
What does a yacht charter really cost on top of the charter fee?
Typically tax (0–22% in our default cruising areas, depending on where the charter starts), an Advance Provisioning Allowance of around 25–40% of the fee, and a crew gratuity of 5–15% or more. Using those ranges, the extras add roughly 30–77% to the headline fee before delivery or local fees.
What is the APA and is it refundable?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is paid before the charter and spent by the captain on running costs such as fuel, food and drink, berthing and communications. The captain keeps accounts, and any unspent balance is returned at the end. If it runs low you will be asked to top it up. VAT is charged on the charter fee, not on the APA itself, though purchases made with it may include local taxes.
Why does the VAT rate depend on where the charter starts?
Within the EU, charter VAT is usually due in the country where the charter begins. Some countries (France, Italy) reduce the VAT in proportion to documented time spent outside EU waters; others (Spain, Croatia) charge on the full fee. Outside the EU, rules vary — the Bahamas applies a consolidated 14% charter tax, while the BVI charges cruising permit fees instead.
How much should I tip the crew?
MYBA guidelines suggest 5–15% of the base charter fee, with 10% standard for a week. On American-run yachts and in the Caribbean, 15–20% is common. The gratuity is always discretionary and is usually handed to the captain to share among the crew.
Is this a quote?
No. It is an estimate based on the figures you enter and the published sources listed on this page. Your broker’s contract is the final word on tax, APA and fees.
Sources & data
Every figure this tool uses by default is listed here with where it came from and when we last checked it. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Croatia yacht charter VAT rateReduced 13% rate covers "accommodation on nautical tourism vessels" (PwC); standard rate is 25%. IYC: 13% for qualifying multi-day charters with a Croatian charter licence. Onboard purchases may attract the standard 25% rate.
- Greece yacht charter VAT rate (typical qualifying charter)IYC: effective rate for eligible charters generally 5.2%–13% depending on licence, duration and itinerary; 24% may apply where conditions for reduced treatment are not met. PwC: 13% reduced rate applies to passenger transport; standard rate 24%. Default uses 13% (upper end of the eligible range) — ask the broker for the rate on the contract.
- Italy yacht charter VAT rateSince 2020 Italy taxes the portion of the charter spent in EU waters, based on proven actual use (no flat-rate presumption). Delivery/redelivery fees may also be taxable.
- France/Monaco yacht charter VAT rateFlat-rate (lump sum) reduction abolished in 2020. VAT may be reduced pro rata for time spent outside EU waters, with documentation (AIS data, logbook). VAT also applies to delivery/redelivery fees.
- Spain yacht charter VAT rateApplies to charters starting in Spain with a Spanish charter licence. No reduction for international waters. Canary Islands use IGIC instead of VAT.
- Montenegro yacht charter VAT rateIYC: 0% VAT generally applicable to charters cruising in Montenegrin waters. Some older sources cite 7%. If the itinerary enters Croatia, Croatian VAT may apply for days there.
- Türkiye yacht charter VAT rateNo single charter rate. General VAT rate is 20% (PwC), but treatment depends on the yacht's flag, charter structure, embarkation point and itinerary (IYC). Enter the rate from your quote.
- Bahamas foreign yacht charter taxConsolidated 14% (10% VAT + 4% Port Department fee), collected by the Port Department as a single payment (Chambers, April 2026).
- BVI yacht charter VATNo dedicated VAT/charter tax identified for the BVI; IYC notes many Caribbean islands do not apply one, but permits and clearance charges apply. Check your quote.
- USVI yacht charter VATNo federal VAT in the US (IYC); local sales, gross receipts or charter-related taxes may apply depending on territory. Check your quote.
- BVI cruising permit fee (foreign-based charter boat)Cruising and Home Permit Act 2021: US$4 per person per day for home-based charter boats, US$16 for foreign-based. Separate charter licence fees were increased in 2025; the per-person figure should be re-checked with BVI Customs.
- Typical APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) as % of charter feeIYC: "can vary from 25-40%", set by the yacht's central agent/owner. Other broker guides commonly quote 25–35%, with motor yachts towards the top. VAT is charged on the charter fee, not on the APA (IYC). Unspent APA is refunded.
- Customary crew gratuity as % of base charter fee (MYBA guideline)MYBA tipping guideline: 5–15% of base charter cost, 10% standard for a week-long charter. American crews commonly expect 15% or more; many guests in the US/Caribbean give 15–20%. Always discretionary.
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