Legal frame
Governing: law 4926/2022 arts 1(κα)–(κβ), 3(5), 11(1), 14(1)(β). Builds on: nothing; start here.
The word "bareboat" is not in the law
Charter websites still say that "law 4256/2014, article 8" allows bareboat charter of yachts up to 24 m. That article no longer exists. Law 4926/2022 (ΦΕΚ Α' 82, 20 April 2022) repealed articles 1–13 and 15 of law 4256/2014 from the day it was published, and it is now the statute for professional pleasure vessels (επαγγελματικά πλοία αναψυχής). Its consolidated text runs to law 5111/2024.
Law 4926/2022 never says "bareboat". It gets to the same place by two definitions and one threshold.
The three pieces
| Piece | What it says | Article |
|---|---|---|
| No-manning band | Greek or EU/EEA-flag professional pleasure vessels up to 24 m LOA and up to 14 passengers (or up to 25 on whole charters of 12 h or less with no overnight stay) have no mandatory crew scale | art. 11(1) |
| Who commands | On those vessels the κυβερνήτης may be an employee, a self-employed person, a passenger, the owner or the operator, provided they hold the evidence of competence set by ministerial decision | art. 1(κβα) |
| Powers | "The κυβερνήτης exercises the duties and powers of the master" | art. 1(κβ) |
Put together: a charter group can take a yacht of up to 24 m without a professional master, and one of the group signs on as κυβερνήτης (kyvernítis, skipper-in-command). That person is not a guest with a steering wheel. In Greek law they hold the master's powers and the master's liabilities.
WARNING — You are the master The κυβερνήτης files and answers for the passenger list, takes departure clearance and is the person the Port Police deal with. A false or inaccurate passenger list is a criminal offence carrying at least 3 years' imprisonment (art. 19).
Where the 24 m line bites
- Over 24 m, any charter length: a manning scale applies (art. 11(2)). No bareboat.
- Up to 24 m with 15–49 passengers on charters over 12 h: manning scale again. No bareboat.
- Beds. Passengers may not exceed passenger beds (art. 3(5)). The exception most relevant to bareboat: yachts up to 24 m and 12 passengers on charters over 12 h may exceed beds if the charterparty says so as a basic term.
- Whole charter only. The vessel is chartered as a whole (ολική ναύλωση); you cannot sell cabins.
Most bareboat fleets sit between 11 and 16 m, far inside the band. The limit that matters in practice is usually the passenger number on the yacht's certificate, which the charter company enters in the system.
Private yachts are a different world
Chartering or advertising a private yacht for charter is prohibited (art. 3(3)(δ)), with fines of €20,000–500,000 (art. 20(2)(ε)). If an owner offers you "a friend's boat, cash, no paperwork", you are being offered an illegal charter and you would be the κυβερνήτης on it.
Clearance is lighter than you may expect
For no-manning professional yachts:
- departure clearance is taken at the delivery port within 24 h before sailing (art. 14(1)(α), 14(6));
- intermediate Greek ports need no clearance;
- the arrival declaration at the Greek redelivery port is excused (art. 14(1)(β));
- leaving Greece or entering it mid-charter means clearing at the last or first Greek port (art. 14(1)(γ)).
TIP — Crossing to Turkey or Albania A day trip abroad is an exit from and re-entry into Greece. Clear out and in, and check first that the charter contract and insurance allow it.
The next lesson covers what certificate the κυβερνήτης must hold.