The Merchant Shipping Legislation fully approved by the EU provides for exemption from all direct taxes and taxation under tonnage tax regime of qualifying ship owners, charterers and ship managers, from the operation of qualifying community ships (ships flying a flag of an EU member state or of a country in the European Economic Area) and foreign (non community) ships (under conditions), in qualifying activities.
The legislation allows non community vessels to enter the tonnage tax regime provided the fleet is composed by at least 60% community vessels.
If this requirement is not met, then non community vessels can still qualify if certain criteria are met.
Exemption is also given in relation to the salaries of officers and crew aboard a Cyprus ship.