How Much Does It Cost to Own a Superyacht?
What you will spend each year after the purchase, where the money goes, and how to plan for it.
Plan your ownership budgetAs a rule of thumb, plan for annual running costs of around 10 to 15% of the yacht's purchase price. For a €20 million yacht, that means roughly €2 to €3 million a year.
Crew is usually the largest single cost, followed by maintenance, berthing, insurance and fuel. The real figure depends less on what you paid than on the yacht's size, how much you use her and where she is based. An older yacht can cost as much to run as a newer one of the same size.
Where does the money go?
Every yacht's budget is different, but the same main costs come back every year.
Crew
Salaries, rotation, training, travel and crew insurance. On most superyachts, crew is the largest part of the budget, and it grows with the yacht's size and the number of seasons she operates.
Maintenance and repairs
Routine servicing, spare parts and the yard periods that keep the yacht in class. Budget around 5 to 10% of the yacht's value each year, before any unexpected repairs.
Berthing, insurance and fuel
Marina fees vary widely between cruising areas and seasons. Hull and machinery insurance typically costs 0.5 to 2% of the yacht's value a year, depending on her value, history and cruising area. Fuel depends on how many miles you cover.
Typical annual budgets by size
30m yacht with crew
Around €300,000 to €500,000 a year, covering a small permanent crew, maintenance, berthing, insurance and fuel.
40m yacht
Around €800,000 to €1.2 million a year. Crew and the yard period become the biggest lines.
50 to 70m superyacht
Around €3 million to €6 million or more a year, with crew alone often above €1.5 million.
Management
A management company can handle crew, budgets, compliance and suppliers for an annual fee.
Provisioning and guests
Food, drinks and guest services are usually budgeted separately, by season or by trip.
Unplanned costs
Keep a contingency for breakdowns, weather damage and last-minute changes to your plans.
These ranges are indicative only. Your own figure depends on the yacht, her flag, her crew and your cruising programme.
Plan for refit years
Beyond the annual budget, superyachts follow a regular cycle of class surveys and dry-dock periods. A major refit usually comes every five to seven years and can run into the millions on larger yachts.
Setting aside a reserve every year spreads that cost and avoids a single large bill. Before you buy, check when the next class survey and refit are due, as it can change the real price of the yacht.
How to keep running costs under control
The biggest savings come from decisions made at the start:
- Define your cruising programme: one season instead of two can cut the budget significantly.
- Choose your base carefully: berthing and local services cost far more in some areas than others.
- Size the crew to how you actually use the yacht, not to her maximum capacity.
- Keep up preventive maintenance, which costs less than repairs.
- Compare yards and quotes before every major refit.
- Consider charter to offset part of the costs, while knowing it rarely covers them all.
A clear budget agreed with your captain or management company at the start of each season is the best way to avoid surprises.
How RYI helps you plan
Budget before you buy
For each yacht on your shortlist, we estimate her annual running costs, so you compare the full cost and not only the price.
Check her history
We review the maintenance records, class status and upcoming refit, so there are no surprises after the purchase.
Set up ownership
We help you choose the flag, the management structure and the crew, according to how you want to use the yacht.
Plan the season
We work with your captain on a realistic seasonal budget and cruising programme.
Charter if you wish
If you want to offset costs, our charter team can market the yacht to the right clients.
Ongoing support
Our management team can handle crew, suppliers and compliance throughout your ownership.
How we can help
From the first shortlist to daily management, Royal Yacht International helps owners understand and control the real cost of their yacht.
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See all guidesFrequently asked questions
Is the 10% rule accurate?
It is a useful starting point, not a budget. Running costs depend on the yacht's size, use and location, not on her value, so an older yacht can cost much more than 10% of her current value to run.
What is the biggest cost of owning a superyacht?
Crew. Salaries, rotation, training and travel usually make up the largest part of the annual budget.
How much does superyacht insurance cost?
Typically 0.5 to 2% of the yacht's value a year, depending on her value, claims history, crew and cruising area.
How often does a superyacht need a refit?
Most yachts have a major refit every five to seven years, alongside regular class surveys and dry-dock periods.
Can chartering cover the running costs?
Charter income can offset part of the costs, but it rarely covers them all. It also brings more wear, commercial rules and crew requirements.
Does an older yacht cost less to run?
Not necessarily. Older yachts are cheaper to buy, but maintenance and refit costs often rise with age.
Published November 2026 · Last updated November 2026
