Greece

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway 130 km/h, expressway 110 km/h, outside built-up areas 90 km/h, in built-up areas 50 km/h.
• Alcohol: 0.2 ‰ for novice drivers (according to the Polish MFA – for drivers up to 23), otherwise 0.5 ‰. Safest: zero.
• Phone only with a hands-free kit – holding it in your hand can cost you your licence for 30 days.
• In the car: warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.
• Motorways tolled at toll booths, no vignettes.
• Helmet compulsory also on an e-scooter and on a quad.

Seat belts and child seats

Always wear your seat belt – in the front and in the back. Children must travel in child seats or other restraint systems – it’s compulsory.

Not wearing a seat belt can mean a high fine and losing your licence (new Highway Code since September 2025).

Traffic lights

As in most EU countries: on red you stop, and on amber too (unless you are already so close that you can’t stop safely). Flashing amber – single or double – means: slow down, take care and let pedestrians and other vehicles pass.

Running a red light can mean a high fine and losing your licence.

Helmet not compulsory

Bicycle – a helmet is not compulsory.

Helmet compulsory

• moped and motorcycle (also with a sidecar)
• e-scooter and other light electric vehicles (electric skateboard, roller skates, monowheel, Segway)
• tricycles and quadricycles – including quad bikes

Compulsory equipment in the car

• warning triangle
• first-aid kit
• fire extinguisher

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

Neither Your Europe nor the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions any requirement for winter tyres or snow chains in Greece.

Note: in winter, conditions in the mountains can be difficult – follow the signs and announcements. Check the current rules before you travel on the Hellenic Police website.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Phone: talking with the phone in your hand is banned. It’s only allowed with a wireless hands-free kit or with the phone in a special holder with a speaker. Penalty: a high fine and losing your licence for 30 days.
• Drugs: driving under their influence is banned.
• Hard shoulder on motorways – only in an emergency. Some lanes are reserved for certain vehicles – watch the signs.
• Cameras: since January 2026, camera fines are sent to drivers electronically via the gov.gr platform.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

There are no vignettes in Greece – motorways are tolled at toll booths. Example: on the Attiki Odos around Athens you pay once, when you enter – in cash, by card or with an e-pass device (aodos.gr).

Official sources do not mention low-emission zones.

Documents and insurance

• A driving licence from an EU/EEA country is valid. You must carry the physical document – an electronic version is not enough.
• Vehicle registration certificate – you must carry it.
• Insurance: third-party motor insurance from an EU country is valid throughout the EU, no Green Card needed.
• As a tourist you may not drive a car owned by a private person living in Greece.
• Officially living in Greece (you have an AFM or AMKA number – e.g. on a longer Erasmus stay or for work)? Then you may not own or drive a car with foreign number plates. Such cars may only be driven by people staying temporarily (max. 6 months a year). It’s a good idea to get a certificate from the customs office at the border stating the planned period of the car’s stay.

What to watch out for

• A new Highway Code has applied since September 2025: penalties for speeding, alcohol, phone use, running a red light or not wearing a seat belt or helmet are very high and often mean losing your licence.
• Repeat offences are punished particularly severely.
• Under 23? The 0.2 ‰ limit applies to you – in practice: don’t drink before driving.
• Quad bike or scooter on holiday? Helmet compulsory – also on a quad.
• There are lots of cameras, and their fines arrive electronically.

Sources

• Your Europe – Road rules: Greece
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Greece (in Polish)
• Attiki Odos – tolls
• Last updated: September 2026.