Guide to Driving In Greece - Drive Safe in Greece

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Greece and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

110 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110-130 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 10-25g

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Greece on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Greece is EUR €
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Greece 1.86 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Greece

Driving in Greece
Pocket guide to driving in Greece
Profile:
Greece
Athens
EUR €
Driving in Greece
SPEED: (kph)
50
110
110-130
Speed limit in Greece
Holiday:
Rush hour in Greece
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Greece
FUEL:
1.86
1.70
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Greece
See Fuel Price in Greece for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Greece
DRINK:
10-25g
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Greece
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Greece
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Greece
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Greece
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Greece
See here for current child seats law in Greece

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Greece?

In Greece you'll drive on the right with overtaking on the left. You must always give way to the right when you approach a junction. Care should be taken especially on left turns as following vehicles may be trying to overtake you at the same time! Driving defensively is also a good idea. Watch out for people who cut lanes and cut corners.

Greek Road Sign

On the three lane highways the middle lane is used for passing. Don't obstruct the fast lane. Take care when driving on Greek roads as the quality can vary greatly. In some of the most beautiful places paved roads will give way to gravel roads and so your speed should be adjusted accordingly. Greece also has a high proportion of accidents compared to other European countries. Some of the most dangerous areas are the single lane mountain roads where you have to pass into the oncoming lane of traffic to overtake. Most petrol stations are open for twelve hours between 7am and 7pm but closed on Sundays.

By law one petrol station per area should remain open at night and on Sundays so if you are low on gas out of hours get a local to direct you to that petrol station. In Greece there is a system of heavy fines of hundreds and even thousands of Euros for the following offences: running a red light, crossing a double white line, not stopping at a stop sign, talking on a mobile and parking illegally on a national road so it pays to follow the rules meticulously.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.70

€ 1.86

Jan , 2024

€ 1.64

€ 1.82

Dec , 2023

€ 1.67

€ 1.83

Nov , 2023

€ 1.71

€ 1.86

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking Regulations

You must not park within three metres of a fire hydrant, five metres of a pedestrian crossing or fiteen metres from a bus stop. stop or park next to kerbs painted with yellow lines. 
 
Parking is also forbidden in streets where a market is to be held that day. You should use hazard warning lights like the locals to show intention of parking. In Athens, look out for coloured parking spaces which mean they are reserved for locals.
 
Paid parking
 
In major cities you'll find parking meters and ticket machines close to the centre. There are also numerous private and municipal car parks, usually with attendants where you can park safely.
 
Enforcement
 
Cars can be towed away or, rather bizarrely, have their licence plates removed. You'll get a stiff fine before you can claim your car back. Traffic police or municipal police can enforce the laws. Fines can be paid at post offices. If your licenec plates are taken you are only allowed to drive your car home or you'll face a huge fine. 
 
Disabled parking
 
The EU Blue Badge scheme gives all disabled drivers free parking in Greece but check local rules first, just in case!

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency number in Greece is the European standard 112 for the police, fire and ambulance

The United States Embassy in Greece is located at 91 Vasilissis Sophias Blvd, GR-101-60 Athens. You can call them on 30 01 721 2951.

The UK Embassy in Greece is located at 1, Ploutarchou stre, 10675, Athens. You can call them on 30 210 7272 600

 

What to do in an emergency

For breakdowns, call the number given to you by your car hire company. If driving your own car, ask your breakdown assistance company for a number of a partner Greek organisation before you go.
 
In an accident, call the police then photograph the scene including all those involved in the accident together with any witnesses. If safe to do so, leave the vehicles in position until the police arrive. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Motor oil - ladi michanis
  • Gas station - venzinadiko
  • Car rental agency - grafio eniciaseos aftokiniton
  • Parking - choros stathmefis
  • Exit - exodos
  • Unleaded petrol - amolivdi venzini
  • Entrance - isodos
  • Detour- parakampsis
  • Hospital - nosokomio
  • Police - astinomia
  • Police station - astinomiko tmiha
  • Embassy - presvia
  • Diesel – Petreleo
  • I have broken down – Eho katanemimenes 
  • Where is the police station? - Poo inay to astinomico dmima?
  • I have a flat tyre – Eho ena skasmeno lastika
  • I have been in an accident – Eho pie say ena atiheema
  • Where is? - Poo eenay?
  • Where can I buy petrol? - Poo boro na agorazo venzini

Greece Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.70

€ 1.86

Jan , 2024

€ 1.64

€ 1.82

Dec , 2023

€ 1.67

€ 1.83

Nov , 2023

€ 1.71

€ 1.86

Oct , 2023

€ 1.85

€ 2.00

Sep , 2023

€ 1.84

€ 2.04

Aug , 2023

€ 1.71

€ 1.96

Jul , 2023

€ 1.58

€ 1.86

Jun , 2023

€ 1.56

€ 1.87

May , 2023

€ 1.54

€ 1.83

Apr , 2023

€ 1.65

€ 1.92

Mar , 2023

€ 1.71

€ 1.90

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.70 1.86
Jan , 2024 1.64 1.82
Dec , 2023 1.67 1.83
Nov , 2023 1.71 1.86
Oct , 2023 1.85 2.00
Sep , 2023 1.84 2.04
Aug , 2023 1.71 1.96
Jul , 2023 1.58 1.86
Jun , 2023 1.56 1.87
May , 2023 1.54 1.83
Apr , 2023 1.65 1.92
Mar , 2023 1.71 1.90

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Greece and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

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