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Taking a boat to Greece: licence, TEPAI and papers

Taking a boat to Greece needs planning: official German advice and the German automobile club ADAC disagree on licence recognition, and boats over 7 m pay the TEPAI charge. This page sets out both positions and the papers you need on board.

Emergency108per ADAC/ÖAMTC[2]

Alcohol limit?check locally

Liability coverrequiredproof on board, per ADAC/ÖAMTC[2]

Licencecheck recognition first[1][2]

Have ready on arrival: 1 boat registration and liability certificate in Greek or English, 2 receipt for the paid TEPAI, 3 your licence, with its recognition checked in advance.

Licence recognition

According to the German Foreign Office, an official German licence titled “International Certificate” under UN/ECE Resolution 40 is not recognised in Greece. German missions give details.[1]
ADAC, by contrast, considers the German SBF See recognised, though inspectors may ask for confirmation from the issuing body (DSV or DMYV), a diplomatic confirmation and a Greek translation.[2]
According to the RYA, Greece has not adopted UN/ECE Resolution 40, and Greek law requires an embassy or consulate confirmation and a Greek translation for foreign licences. Before you travel, ask the relevant embassy or the Greek port authority which documents your licence needs.[3]
According to ADAC, a licence is required for motorboats from 30 hp and for inflatables from 15 hp, with a minimum age of 18.[2]
With a radio on board, ADAC lists a radio operator’s certificate (SRC or LRC) and a licence with MMSI and call sign.[2]

Liability insurance

According to ADAC, liability insurance is compulsory for pleasure craft in Greece, and proof must be on board in Greek or English.[2]
ADAC gives the minimum cover as EUR 150,000 per person, EUR 700,000 per incident and EUR 2,100,000 in total for personal injury, and EUR 150,000 per incident and EUR 450,000 in total for property damage.[2]

TEPAI and arrival

Pleasure boats over 7 m in Greek waters pay the TEPAI charge, private or commercial and whatever their flag.[4]
You pay online via eTEPAI with the tax authority AADE, at the latest on the first day of entry and then before each further month begins.[4]
Rates according to ADAC: EUR 16 a month for 7 to 8 m, EUR 25 for over 8 to 10 m, EUR 33 for over 10 to 12 m and EUR 8 per started metre above 12 m. You pay for full calendar months, with 10 percent off for 12 months paid in advance. Check the official 2026 rates before you travel.[2]
Boats arriving from outside the Schengen area, for example from Turkey, may only enter at designated ports of entry. According to the RYA, boats from non-EU countries have needed a Transit Log on arrival since 1 January 2021.[1][3]
According to ADAC, the crew list must reach the port authority of your destination 6 hours before entry. Check the current rules for boats arriving from EU countries before you travel.[2]

Papers and passenger list

Under Greek law, private pleasure boats of any flag keep an up-to-date passenger list signed by the skipper, with no port authority stamp required.[5]
According to ADAC, carry the Internationaler Bootsschein or other proof of registration, proof of insurance in Greek or English, your ID card or passport and the TEPAI receipt.[2]
If you use someone else’s boat, the RYA advises carrying the owner’s written permission.[3]

Safety equipment

ADAC lists life-saving equipment for everyone on board as compulsory. Check the full equipment requirements for your sailing area in Greece before you travel.[2]

Navigation warnings and open questions

Daily maritime safety information for Greek waters is broadcast via NAVTEX. Alcohol limits, speed limits, distances from bathing areas and anchoring bans are not confirmed here, so ask the port authority before you travel.[1]

Towing a boat trailer in Greece

For a car towing a trailer in Greece, the European Commission gives 90 km/h on motorways, 80 km/h on expressways and other rural roads and 50 km/h in towns.[6]
On Attiki Odos around Athens, a car with a small trailer stays in class 2 while other car and trailer combinations fall into class 4; both pay EUR 2.80. How other Greek motorway operators classify rigs is not confirmed by an official source.[7]

Emergency numbers

According to ADAC, the Hellenic Coast Guard is on 108, and distress calls go via VHF channel 16 and DSC channel 70.[2]
In Greece, 112 also passes on your location.[1]

Keep your licence with any confirmations and translations, the insurance certificate in Greek or English, the TEPAI receipt and the passenger list together on board. Get the licence question answered in writing before you leave.

NAMMERT customers can get their liability confirmation in English.

Get a quote Check your trailer rig

Questions

Is my German licence recognised in Greece?

Sources disagree. The German Foreign Office says an official German licence titled “International Certificate” is not recognised, while ADAC considers the SBF See recognised with confirmation and a Greek translation. Ask the embassy or the port authority before you travel.

Is the ICC accepted in Greece?

According to the RYA, Greece has not adopted UN/ECE Resolution 40 and requires an embassy or consulate confirmation plus a Greek translation for foreign licences.

How much is TEPAI?

According to ADAC, from EUR 16 a month for 7 to 8 m up to EUR 8 per started metre above 12 m. Check the official 2026 rates with AADE.

Which language must the insurance certificate be in?

According to ADAC, Greek or English.