Buying a Yacht in Greece & the Ionian
Greece is one of the world’s great sailing destinations — and one of its best yacht buying markets. With over 16,000 kilometres of coastline, a long sailing season stretching from April to October, and a large fleet of well-maintained vessels, it offers serious buyers genuine choice and real value.
The Ionian Sea in particular attracts buyers looking for a base in protected, predictable waters. Consistent summer winds, stunning anchorages and easy access from northern Europe make it a natural home for privately owned yachts.
What to Expect When Buying
Whether you’re buying your first yacht or adding to your fleet, the process in Greece follows a straightforward path:
Agree terms with the seller — a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) sets out the price, equipment, delivery conditions and the timeline for survey.
Pay a holding deposit — typically 10% of the purchase price, held by the broker as trustee while the survey is completed.
Commission an independent survey — a qualified marine surveyor inspects the vessel in and out of the water. This is your most important step and worth doing properly.
Review and negotiate — based on the survey you can proceed as agreed, negotiate a price adjustment, request repairs, or walk away with your deposit returned.
Complete the purchase — once documentation is verified and clear of any encumbrances, the balance is transferred and ownership passes to you.
Why Buy Through a Local Broker
Buying in Greece without local knowledge is possible — but it adds unnecessary risk. A broker based in the Ionian knows the boats, the history behind them, and the local processes involved in transferring ownership cleanly.
At Ionian Yacht Sales we work with both buyers and sellers across the region. We act as trustee during the transaction, coordinate surveys, handle paperwork and keep the process moving — so you can focus on finding the right boat.
Ready to Start Looking?
Browse our current listings or get in touch directly. Whether you have a specific boat in mind or are still working out what you need, we’re happy to talk it through.