Driving in Greece allows you to discover many wonderful places. You can enjoy the views along coastal roads at sunset, explore mountain villages and visit archaeological sites at quiet times of the year. You can even hop on a ferry with your car to tour the Greek islands and lesser-known parts of the mainland. With such a beautiful and varied landscape, going out for a drive in Greece always creates memorable days out.
Greece’s more remote regions can offer excellent property value – but getting to and from your new home is just as important as finding the right location. If you’re eyeing up a peaceful inland village or a quiet island retreat, you’ll need to think about transport. Are you allowed to drive in Greece? Can you buy a car as a resident? In this article, we explore the key mobility questions overseas buyers often ask when planning a move to Greece.
What driving licenses are accepted in Greece?
Driving licences issued in the EU or EEA are accepted in Greece. You can also drive a car in Greece with a UK photocard driving licence. But if you have the old paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get an international driving permit (IDP) as well. As of November 2021, driving licenses issued by Australia, Canada, Gibraltar, the UK and the US became recognised for renting a car in Greece.
Do I need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
If your driving license is issued outside the countries previously mentioned you will need to get an “International Driving Permit (IDP). In most countries, an IDP is issued by automobile associations or accredited online providers. Citizens from the US can get further information on changing a driving licence and obtaining an IDP from the US Embassy in Greece.
Do I need an IDP to hire a car?
When hiring a car, always check what the car hire company requires. Often, they will have stricter conditions, such as having an IDP or being over a certain age. Small hire car companies may be cheaper but are more likely to insist on you having an IDP, even if the authorities say you don’t need one. According to the UK government website the 1968 IDP lasts for three years or until your driving licence expires, and costs just £5.50 from a PayPoint Store. Alternatively, find a well-known car hire company that doesn’t ask for one.
Must I get a Greek driving licence?
If you are moving to Greece permanently, you can continue to use a British driving licence until your licence is due for renewal. After this time, you should apply for a licence in the country you are resident in. When you do get a Greek licence, you will have to surrender your previous licence. At this point you might also lose any extra categories you may have on your licence, such as HGV, van etc. However, it is possible to pay extra to keep them. A list of Greek Transport Offices can be found on the Transport Ministry website.
At what age can you drive in Greece?
To drive a car in Greece you must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence. To ride a motorbike up to 125cc you must be aged 18 or over and for a moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged over 16. If you see a car with an N on it, be patient with them, as the N sticker indicates that they are a new driver in their first year of driving.
Can I buy a car in Greece as a non-EU citizen?
If you’re not an EU citizen, you will need to obtain a residency permit before you can buy a car in Greece. Whereas EU citizens need only get a tax file number from a local tax office.
What paperwork do I need to buy a car?
When buying a car in Greece a car dealership will ask to see your residency permit, tax file number and ID. In turn, the car must have a valid MOT (KTEO) and up to date road tax. You will also need to pay a fee of between €30 and €205 to transfer ownership of the vehicle (based on engine capacity). When not buying through a dealership it can be useful to get an agent to deal with the paperwork. You can also get advice from your local KEP office. KEP is a citizens service centre, designed to help people deal with public administration. There is also digital guidance for sellers on the gov.gr website.
Where can I buy a car in Greece?
If you’re looking to buy a new car, and know which make and model you want, then head straight to the dealership or their website. If you’re looking for a used car or motorbike, it’s a good idea to browse online first.
Are there websites advertising used cars for sale?
The top five new and used car websites in Greece are: Automarin, Lalafo, Autopark, Auto Kinito and XE Automato. Compared to the UK, secondhand car prices in Greece are usually higher.
How can I pay for a car in Greece?
When buying a car in Greece you will find that many used car dealers will only accept cash, while most new car dealers will only accept a credit or debit card. Either way, a car can be a big expense to budget for. Therefore, it is advisable to transfer the money over in advance. Smart Currency Exchange can help you time the money transfer, so that you get the best exchange rate.
How do I register a car in Greece?
If you’re buying a car from a dealer, you won’t need to worry about registering, as the dealer will take care of the paperwork and registration for you. If the seller doesn’t deal with the registration, you will need to go to the vehicle registration office with the following documents: certificate of ownership, your passport, original driving license and Greek residency permit (if you aren’t an EU citizen).
Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore Greece’s beautiful coves, villages and canyons
Can I bring my own car to Greece?
If you live in the UK, you may keep a UK-registered car in Greece for up to six months, but no longer. If you are going to be living in Greece, you have one month after arrival in which to put Greek plates on the car. If you’ve been resident in an EU country for at least two years before moving to Greece, you’re exempt from VAT and registration for cars that are owned and used privately.
As Greece is a busy shipping destination, it is fairly easy and inexpensive to ship a car there. The cost will depend on what type of vehicle you have and what shipping method you use. The most common method is by container. Shipping in a container means your car is protected from the elements during its journey, and is kept relatively safe from getting knocked about. The other benefit of a shipping container is that you may be able to fit other belongings into the container with it. Just make sure everything is well strapped in so it doesn’t move about.
When bringing a foreign car into Greece ensure the car insurance is valid for international travel and that you have all necessary registration documents. If stopped by Greek authorities, be prepared to show proof of your residence outside Greece to avoid any fines or penalties.
Do I need a GB sticker on my British car?
According to the RAC in the UK, in 2021 the marker identifying the nation was changed from GB to UK. If UK is already incorporated in your number plate you won’t also need a sticker.
What’s the cost of owning a car in Greece?
Like anywhere else, there is a wide range of car prices in Greece, but you may find secondhand cars slightly more expensive than in the UK or the US. Fuel prices can also be different to what you are used to. For example, on the 22nd May, 2025, unleaded petrol was around €1.72 per litre, and diesel was €1.47 per litre, which was more expensive than the UK for petrol and cheaper for diesel. At the same time, Greece was more expensive than the US.
When you purchase a car, it must have a valid KTEO (MOT) certificate and road tax. The tax is renewed every January, therefore if you buy a car in November which needs tax, you could end up paying a full year, followed by a year’s tax again two months later. Other expenses include the obligation to have at least third-party car insurance. Insurance costs vary a lot depending on how old your car is, the make and model, and where you park.
What equipment must I have in my car in Greece?
Greek law requires you to have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a high visibility jacket, a warning triangle and a headlamp adjustment. It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt in the front and rear seats.
What are the speed limits in Greece?
When you drive in Greece, it’s important to be aware of speed limits. In urban areas the speed limit is generally 50 kilometres an hour (31 miles per hour). However, as on all roads, look out for speed limit signs. In some towns with a lot of pedestrians, cyclists or properties right on the road they may reduce it to 30 kilometres an hour. Rural roads are usually up to 90 kilometres an hour (56 miles per hour). But be aware of the need to reduce speed where the road is bendy, in poor condition or near the entrance to properties etc. The national speed limit on motorways is 130 kilometres an hour. Although, there are some fast roads where the limit is only 110 kilometres an hour. If you are caught driving over the limit, you could be fined from €40 to €350, depending how much over the limit you were.
What is the drink drive limit in Greece?
For the safety of all road users, the legal limit for alcohol when driving in Greece is just 0.05%, and if you’ve had your license for fewer than two years, the limit is only 0.02%. Even a drink marketed as non-alcoholic could have up to 0.05% alcohol in it. Therefore, it is far safer to not drink alcohol at all if you are driving. Many accidents are caused by tourists not knowing the roads well and drink driving. In a road safety survey, a shocking 20% of tourists under the age of 25 admitted to drink-driving while on holiday in Greece.
Are there any roadside assistance services?
While roadside assistance is pretty common in Greece, you’ll want to find a local company that can be there quickly no matter which island you’re on. It’s recommended that you search for a provider in your area, and then keep their number in your vehicle.
Are there motorways in Greece?
The main motorways in Greece are on the mainland. The Attiki Odos A6 around Athens is among the most well-known. When driving from Athens to the Peloponnese you’ll probably use the Olympia Odos A8 connecting Athens and Patras. The Moreas motorway (A7) is another key highway in the Peloponnese. A major motorway is the A1 from Athens to Thessaloniki in the north. Once in northern Greece the A2 connects Igoumenitisa and Kipoi.
Can I drive on the Greek islands?
Driving on the Greek islands offers a special scenic experience. Although road conditions can vary, it is often down the roughest tracks that you’ll discover the best secluded beaches. While some larger islands like Crete have well-developed road networks, smaller, more remote islands may have narrower uneven roads. Be prepared for steep narrow roads and consider getting a small car for easier manoeuvrability around the villages.
Where’s best place to drive in Greece?
If you enjoy driving, then the Peloponnese is a great place to buy a property. You can drive to airports in Athens or Kalamata, and there is a stunning mixture of scenery to explore, from snowcapped mountains to pretty fishing villages. Plus, there are incredible historic sites to visit, such as Olympia (the birthplace of the Olympic games), Mycenae (the centre of the bronze age Greece), the theatre of Epidavros and Nafplion (the first capital of Greece).
What if I don’t want to drive in Greece?
If you want to avoid driving a car in Greece, KTEL (intercity buses) are a reliable and affordable way to travel to major towns and cities from Athens, particularly from the Kifissos KTEL Station. Alternatively, at Athens airport you can catch a bus to one of three ports and then hop on a ferry to your favourite island. The main tourist islands with a year-round population tend to have the best public transport.
Of these islands, Skiathos is considered to have the most organised bus system, as is Naxos and Syros. Undoubtably, a good regular service makes it much more possible to explore beaches and villages. Bus services are also good on Santorini and Paros, especially if you base yourself in a popular area. As Crete is the biggest island there are many places to visit by bus, as well as a good transfer service from the airport to major towns, such as Chania and Rethymnon. The northern coast of Crete is particularly well served in the summer months. In the holiday season there is a frequent service between Heraklion and Malia, with buses also running regularly between Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania and Kastelli-Kissamos.
If you are buying a holiday home, it is often more convenient to find a property in a location that is near to an airport bus service. You can then either catch buses or hire a car for days out. However, if you intend to live in Greece long term, you will have more property options in the countryside and villages, where a car becomes essential. Whether you bring one from abroad or buy a car locally, a vehicle certainly offers you the freedom to thoroughly explore all those beautiful coves, villages and canyons, without the tourist crowds.
You might also like:
