How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Superyacht? The Complete 2026 Guide

The charter fee is the number you see on the listing. It is not the number you pay. Understanding the difference between the two is the first thing any serious charter client needs to get right, because the gap between them is significant and entirely predictable. This guide covers every cost component of a superyacht charter: charter fee, APA, crew gratuity, fuel, marina fees, VAT, and gives you the real total for three different vessel sizes in the Mediterranean in 2026.

The Charter Fee

The weekly charter fee covers the use of the yacht and the crew for seven nights. Nothing else. The fee is set by the yacht owner and varies by vessel, season, and destination. Here are realistic ranges for the Mediterranean in 2026:

A 20–25 metre motor yacht: €12,000–€35,000 per week. This is the entry point for a crewed charter, a vessel with a captain and one or two crew members, sleeping four to six guests in two or three cabins. The experience is comfortable and personal. The crew-to-guest ratio is high, which means attentive service.

A 30–40 metre motor yacht: €35,000–€100,000 per week. This is the most popular range for groups of six to ten guests. The vessel has a proper galley, multiple deck spaces, a tender and water toys, and a crew of four to six. The experience is genuinely luxurious without the complexity of a large superyacht.

A 40–60 metre superyacht: €80,000–€250,000 per week. At this size, the vessel has a full crew of eight to twelve, multiple deck levels, a swimming pool or beach club, and the kind of space that makes a week feel like a private resort. The experience is exceptional, and the logistics are handled entirely by the crew.

APA: The Number That Catches People Out

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a deposit paid at the start of the charter to cover all running costs incurred during the week: fuel, provisions, marina fees, harbour dues, port taxes, and any other expenses. At the end of the charter, the captain provides a full accounting of every euro spent. Any unspent APA is returned to you. If the actual costs exceed the APA, you pay the difference.

The standard APA is 30–35% of the weekly charter fee. On a €30,000 charter, that's an additional €9,000–€10,500 upfront. On an €80,000 charter, it's €24,000–€28,000. On a €200,000 charter, it's €60,000–€70,000.

Fuel is the largest variable within the APA. A 35-metre motor yacht running at cruising speed (typically 12–16 knots) consumes roughly 200–300 litres per hour. At current Mediterranean fuel prices (approximately €1.80–€2.20 per litre), a day of active motoring, say eight hours. costs €2,880–€5,280 in fuel alone. A week of active cruising, covering 400–600 nautical miles, will cost €8,000–€15,000 in fuel. If you anchor and swim rather than covering distance, the fuel bill drops significantly.

Marina fees vary enormously by location and season. A berth in Monaco in July costs €1,500–€3,000 per night for a 35-metre vessel. The same berth in a smaller Balearic marina costs €200–€500 per night. Anchoring is free and is the preferred option for most charter clients.

Provisions. Food and drink for the week. typically run €1,500–€3,000 for a group of eight guests on a 35-metre yacht. This covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all drinks on board. The quality is high: the chef provisions from local markets and the provisioning service in most Mediterranean ports is excellent.

Crew Gratuity

Crew gratuity is not included in the charter fee or the APA. It is paid in cash at the end of the charter, directly to the captain, who distributes it among the crew. The industry standard is 10–15% of the charter fee. On a €30,000 charter, that's €3,000–€4,500. On an €80,000 charter, it's €8,000–€12,000.

Gratuity is discretionary but expected. The crew's salary is set by the owner, and the gratuity is the primary way that charter guests express their appreciation for exceptional service. A crew that receives no gratuity will notice. A crew that receives a generous gratuity will remember you the next time you book the same vessel.

VAT

VAT applies to yacht charters in most European waters. The rate and the method of calculation vary by flag state and by where the charter begins and ends. For EU charters, the effective VAT rate is typically 6–12% of the charter fee, depending on the structure. Your broker should provide a clear VAT breakdown before you sign anything. Some charter structures allow for VAT mitigation through careful routing. This is legal and common, but it requires planning in advance.

What a Week Actually Costs: Three Examples

Example 1: 25-metre motor yacht, Mediterranean, June. Charter fee: €22,000. APA (33%): €7,260. Crew gratuity (12%): €2,640. VAT (8%): €1,760. Total: approximately €33,660.

Example 2: 35-metre motor yacht, French Riviera, July. Charter fee: €55,000. APA (33%): €18,150. Crew gratuity (12%): €6,600. VAT (8%): €4,400. Total: approximately €84,150.

Example 3: 50-metre superyacht, Balearics, September. Charter fee: €130,000. APA (30%): €39,000. Crew gratuity (12%): €15,600. VAT (8%): €10,400. Total: approximately €195,000.

These are realistic totals. If you're budgeting based on the charter fee alone, you're working with the wrong figure.

What Affects the Price

Destination matters. The French Riviera. Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, Monaco. is the most expensive charter destination in the Mediterranean. Marina fees are higher, fuel is more expensive, and the provisioning costs more. The Balearics sit in the middle. Croatia and Greece are significantly cheaper for the same vessel. The Arabian Gulf in winter is competitive with the Mediterranean shoulder season.

Season matters more than destination. The difference between a July charter and a September charter on the same vessel in the same location can be 20–30% of the total cost. Peak season (July–August in the Mediterranean) commands a premium that reflects demand, not quality.

Vessel age and condition matter. A yacht that was refitted in the last three years will command a premium over one that hasn't been touched since launch. The premium is usually worth it, the difference in the onboard experience is noticeable. Ask your broker when the vessel was last refitted and what the refit covered.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

Before you commit to a budget, ask your broker to provide a total cost estimate: charter fee, APA, gratuity, and VAT. for the specific yacht, destination, and dates you're considering. Any broker who can't give you a clear answer to that question within 24 hours is not the right broker.

Get in touch with our charter desk for a clear, line-by-line cost breakdown on any vessel in our fleet. We'll tell you the real number before you commit to anything.