2026 Charter Guide
Yacht Charter Cost & APA Guide
What a private yacht charter actually costs in 2026 — base rates by yacht size, how APA works, VAT by country, crew gratuity and the real all-in numbers for three typical bookings.
Base charter rates by yacht size
Weekly base rates exclude APA, VAT and gratuity. Mediterranean high season (July–August) sits at the top of each range; May, June and September are typically 20–35% lower for the same yacht.
| Yacht | Weekly base | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht 12–18 m (40–60 ft), bareboat | €3,500 – €9,000 | Bareboat in Croatia, Greece or the BVI. You skipper, provision and pay marina fees as you go. No APA. |
| Crewed sailing yacht / catamaran 15–24 m | €15,000 – €45,000 | Captain plus 1–3 crew. APA ~25–30%. Add VAT in EU waters. |
| Motor yacht 24–30 m (80–100 ft) | €55,000 – €120,000 | Crew of 4–6. Toys and tender included; fuel via APA at ~30%. |
| Motor yacht 30–40 m (100–130 ft) | €120,000 – €280,000 | Beach club, jet skis, seabobs. APA ~30%. Riviera and Sardinia run highest. |
| Superyacht 40–55 m | €280,000 – €650,000 | Crew of 8–12, helipad on many. APA ~30%, plus higher berthing in peak Med ports. |
| Superyacht 55 m+ | €650,000 – €1.8m+ | Full programme: chef, spa, dive centre. APA can run 30–35% for long-range cruising. |
APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance
APA is a working float — typically 25–35% of the base charter fee — paid up front to the captain so they can run the yacht on your behalf. Every cent is accounted for and the unspent balance is refunded at the end of the trip. If you cruise hard or entertain a lot, the captain will ask for a top-up before the float runs dry.
APA covers
- • Fuel — yacht and tender
- • Provisioning — food, drink, special requests
- • Berthing and harbour fees
- • Customs, agency and cruising permits
- • Laundry, communications and ad-hoc supplies
APA does not cover
- • Base charter fee (the headline weekly rate)
- • VAT or local charter tax
- • Delivery and redelivery fees outside the contracted range
- • Crew gratuity (separate, see below)
- • Personal expenses ashore
VAT and local charter tax
VAT applies to the base charter fee in EU waters, calculated against the country where the charter starts and the planned itinerary. Rates and reductions change regularly — your broker will confirm the exact figure for your booking.
| Country | Charter VAT / tax |
|---|---|
| France | 20% (reductions possible for itineraries leaving EU waters) |
| Italy | 22% headline; reduced effective rates available depending on cruising plan |
| Spain (Balearics) | 21% on EU-flagged charters starting in Spain |
| Croatia | 13% on the base charter fee |
| Greece | 12% (Greek-flagged); short-distance reductions for non-EU itineraries |
| Turkey | Effectively 0% for foreign-flagged yachts on standard itineraries |
| Caribbean (BVI, USVI, St Barts) | No charter VAT; nominal cruising and harbour fees apply |
| Bahamas | 4% charter licence fee on the base |
Crew gratuity
Tipping is customary and paid as a lump sum at the end of the charter, split among the crew at the captain's discretion. Cash, bank transfer or the broker's escrow are all standard.
- Mediterranean / standard: 10–15% of the base charter fee, split among crew at the captain's discretion.
- Caribbean / US waters: 15–20% is customary, reflecting the MYBA Caribbean convention.
- Superyachts 50m+: Often closer to 5–10%, given the absolute numbers involved. Discuss with your broker.
Three real all-in examples
Indicative 2026 numbers for three common bookings, showing how base, APA, VAT and tip stack up to the final cost.
30 m motor yacht, French Riviera, 7 nights in August
| Base charter fee | €180,000 |
| APA (30%) | €54,000 |
| French VAT (20%, indicative) | €36,000 |
| Crew gratuity (~12%) | €21,600 |
| All-in estimate | €291,600 |
24 m catamaran, Croatia, 7 nights in late June
| Base charter fee | €48,000 |
| APA (25%) | €12,000 |
| Croatian VAT (13%) | €6,240 |
| Crew gratuity (~10%) | €4,800 |
| All-in estimate | €71,040 |
45 m motor yacht, BVI, 7 nights in February
| Base charter fee | $420,000 |
| APA (30%) | $126,000 |
| Charter tax | $0 |
| Crew gratuity (~15%) | $63,000 |
| All-in estimate | $609,000 |
Frequently asked questions
What is APA on a yacht charter?
APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is a working float, typically 25–35% of the base charter fee, paid up front to the captain to cover fuel, food, drink, berthing and harbour fees during the trip. The captain accounts for every euro and refunds the unspent balance at the end of the charter, or asks for a top-up if you overspend.
Is VAT included in the charter price?
No. The headline base fee is always quoted excluding VAT. The applicable rate depends on the country where the charter starts and the cruising itinerary — see the VAT table above. Your broker will confirm the exact rate for your booking.
How much should I tip the crew?
Standard practice is 10–15% of the base charter fee in the Mediterranean and 15–20% in the Caribbean, paid as a lump sum at the end of the trip and split by the captain. For very large yachts (50m+) the percentage typically drops to 5–10%.
Why is the same yacht more expensive in July and August?
Peak Mediterranean season runs roughly mid-June to early September. Demand for high season weeks is concentrated, especially around the 14 July French national day, Ferragosto in Italy and the Monaco Yacht Show. Booking in May, June or September can save 20–35% on the same yacht.
What is the cheapest way to charter a yacht?
A bareboat sailing yacht or catamaran in Croatia, Greece or the BVI starts around €3,500–9,000 per week excluding fuel and marina fees. You need an ICC or equivalent skipper qualification, or you can hire a skipper for €180–250 per day.
Are delivery fees extra?
Yes if you ask the yacht to start or end the charter outside its contracted home range. Delivery is usually charged at fuel cost plus a per-day rate. Most brokers will flag this before contracts are signed.
Get a tailored quote
Numbers on this page are indicative. Tell us the yacht size, region and dates and we'll send back a full breakdown — base, APA, VAT, berths, tip — within one working day.