Driving Violations in Greece: Traffic, Parking and Speeding Tickets

Parking fines in Greece can be settled through post offices, banks, e-banking, or Taxisnet, with a standard fine of €80, reduced by 50% if paid within 10 days. Non-payment may result in license plate removal, blacklisting, visa complications, or imprisonment.

Traffic fines in Greece are stringent, with DUI penalties ranging from 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) to 2,000 € ($2,160.00, £1,720.00) and license suspensions extending up to seven years. Speeding fines vary from 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) to 700 € ($756.00, £602.00), while failure to wear seat belts or helmets incurs a 350 € ($378.00, £301.00) fine.

Mobile phone use while driving results in a 350 € ($378.00, £301.00) fine and a 60-day suspension. Illegal parking and uninsured vehicles also attract penalties, while missing technical inspections or failing to pay road taxes leads to additional fines. Driving conditions in Greece and Crete are considered relatively challenging, with high road fatality rates, particularly among motorcyclists due to low helmet usage.

Where to pay a parking fine in Greece?

Parking fines in Greece can be paid through post office (ELTA) branches, banks during working hours (7:00 AM – 2:00 PM), or via e-banking if the ticket includes a barcode. Electronic fines can be paid online through Taxisnet, using a credit/debit card, or through personal electronic banking, for locals.

A standard fine is 80 € ($87,20 , £69,60), with a 50% discount if paid within 10 days. License plate removals require fine payment before collection. Non-Greek residents without a VAT number must contact the fines office for instructions. Rental companies may charge an additional fee if the fine is unpaid.

Greece does not allow parking ticket payment by mail. Car rental companies may pay tickets for an additional fee and customers should ask about service availability.

Traffic police issue driving violation tickets immediately, sending them via SMS, email, or postal mail for camera-detected offenses. Check outstanding fines on TAXISnet under “Information about debts not subject to adjustment”. Keeping contact details updated ensures timely notifications. Disputes can be filed on gov.gr within 60 days.

For travelers in Greece, driving violation tickets are typically issued on the spot by traffic police or sent to the rental car company if the violation is captured by cameras. Car Rental firms, including Rental Center Crete, then notify renters and may charge the fine directly or forward the details for payment. Checking with the rental company is essential, as they may deduct the amount from the provided payment method.

Not paying a parking fine in Greece can lead to serious consequences. If driving a rental car, the fine is sent to the rental company, which may deduct it from your credit card along with service fees. Unpaid fines can result in blacklisting as an untrustworthy tourist, potential visa issues, and substantial penalties after 10 days. In extreme cases, large unpaid fines may lead to imprisonment.

Greek police remove license plates as a penalty for serious parking violations, particularly in cases where vehicles obstruct traffic, occupy spaces reserved for disabled individuals, or park illegally in restricted areas. This measure ensures compliance with parking regulations and discourages repeat offenses. To retrieve the plates, the owner must pay the fine at the local traffic police department. In some cases, fines may be tripled for severe violations.

What are the fines for breaking the driving rules in Greece?

Greece enforces strict fines for traffic violations to improve road safety, as of February 2025. Driving under the influence incurs fines from 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) to 2,000 € ($2,160.00, £1,720.00), with license suspensions up to seven years. Speeding violations range from 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) to 700 € ($756.00, £602.00), with possible license suspensions and vehicle registration data seizure.

Not wearing a seat belt or helmet results in a 350 € ($378.00, £301.00) fine and a 30-day license suspension. Using a mobile phone while driving incurs a 350 € ($378.00, £301.00) fine and a 60-day suspension.

Illegal parking leads to a 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) fine. Uninsured vehicles face fines from 250 € ($270.00, £215.00) to 1,000 € ($1,080.00, £860.00). Missing technical inspections result in a 400 € ($432.00, £344.00) fine, and unpaid road taxes incur a penalty equal to the overdue amount plus the full annual tax.

Find below a list with the traffic fines in Greece.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) 0.50–0.80 g/L: 150 € ($162.00, £129.00) fine and 20-day license suspension. BAC 0.80–1.10 g/L: 700 € ($756.00, £602.00) fine and 90-day license suspension. BAC above 1.10 g/L: 1,200 € ($1,296.00, £1,032.00) fine, six-month license suspension, two months imprisonment, and license plate revocation (10 days to six months). Second DUI within one year: 1,000–2,000 € ($1,080.00–$2,160.00, £860.00–£1,720.00) fine and up to a two-year license suspension. Third DUI within five years: 2,000 € ($2,160.00, £1,720.00) fine and seven-year license revocation.
• Speeding. Exceeding the limit by less than 20 km/h: 150 € ($162.00, £130.00) fine and 30-day license suspension. Exceeding the limit by 20–30 km/h: 150 € ($162.00, £130.00) fine and 50-day license suspension. Exceeding the limit by more than 30 km/h: 350 € ($378.00, £303.00) fine, 60-day license suspension, and potential vehicle registration data seizure.
• Seat Belt and Helmet Use. Failure to wear a seat belt or helmet: 350 € ($X,XX, £Y,YY) fine, 30-day license suspension, and vehicle registration data seizure for 30 days.
• Mobile Phone Use While Driving. Using a mobile phone without a hands-free system: 350 € ($X,XX , £Y,YY) fine, 60-day license suspension, and vehicle registration data seizure for 30 days.
• Illegal Parking. Parking on sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, or disabled ramps: 150 € ($163,50, £129,75) fine and 20-day license suspension.
• Uninsured Vehicles. Public transport buses and commercial trucks: 1,000 € ($1,080.00, £860.00) fine. Passenger cars and other vehicles: 500 € ($540.00, £430.00) fine. Motorcycles: 250 € ($270.00, £215.00) fine.
• Unpaid Road Taxes. Fine equal to the outstanding amount plus the full annual road tax due.
• Missing Technical Inspection (KTEO). Failure to undergo mandatory technical inspection: 400 € ($432,00, £344,00) fine.

Find below an image describing the Traffic fines in Greece.

Is driving in Greece safe?

Driving in Greece is relatively unsafe compared to other European countries. Driving in Greece has a higher road fatality rate compared to other European countries. In 2022, there were 654 road fatalities, averaging nearly two per day, with 61 deaths per million inhabitants. Motorcyclists accounted for 36% of traffic-related deaths, double the European average of 18%.

Helmet usage among motorcyclists is lower than in other EU countries, with 80% of front-seat riders and 65% of rear-seat passengers wearing helmets. Road fatalities have decreased over the past decade, but factors such as traffic law enforcement and driving culture influence accident rates.

Driving in Crete presents similar challenges to the rest of Greece, but with some regional differences. Crete has a higher rate of road accidents relative to its population, with many incidents occurring on the National Road (E75), which runs along the north coast.

Speeding, weak traffic law enforcement, and risky overtaking cause road accidents in Crete. Motorcyclists and scooter riders risk more due to low helmet use and lack of gear. Rural roads pose challenges with sharp turns, narrow lanes, and obstacles like livestock. Driving in Crete requires caution on highways and rural roads.

Published on February 21, 2025