The Independent Authority for Public Revenue in Greece has fined 12 tourist boats in Santorini a total of 43,000 euros for tax evasion.
Tax inspectors conducted surprise checks on 26 day trip vessels and catamarans as part of a targeted enforcement campaign named Operation Cruise I Will Take You 2026.
The inspections revealed tax violations on 46 percent of the audited craft, representing almost one out of every two boats inspected on the island.
Auditors focused their surveillance on the port of Vlychada and other docking points across Santorini, waiting for excursion craft to return from morning and afternoon cruises.
Vlychada, located on the southern coast of Santorini, serves as the main harbor for commercial charter catamarans and excursion craft taking visitors around the volcanic caldera.
Violations and financial penalties
According to an official announcement from the revenue authority, the total value of transactions tied to the tax infractions reached 92,000 euros.
Inspectors recorded four main types of breaches during the spot checks on the water and at the quayside:
- Failing to issue receipts or issuing inaccurate sales receipts
- Refusing to produce or failing to display required tax documents and business records
- Accepting cash payments exceeding 500 euros
- Applying lower Value Added Tax rates than mandated by Greek law
Under Greek tax regulations, commercial transactions over 500 euros between consumers and businesses must be paid electronically, prohibiting cash settlement.
The revenue authority confirmed that auditors specifically evaluated whether commercial boat operators applied correct VAT rates, adhered to legal payment processing rules, and maintained mandatory record books on board.
Algorithmic risk analysis and further audits
Tax officials deployed algorithmic risk analysis tools and statistical data to select which vessels to inspect, combining intelligence with historical tax filings to identify high risk targets.
The revenue service said the spot checks in Santorini form part of a broader strategy of targeted audits against tourism businesses during periods of peak commercial activity.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation into the non-compliant charter companies will not end with the initial field inspections.
The tax agency is expanding its probe by cross referencing company financial data and will extend audits into previous unaudited tax years where deemed necessary.
