Greece Speed Limits 2026: 30 km/h in Town, €700 Over 50

Greek speed limits in 2026 are 30 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads and 130 km/h on motorways, with 50 km/h surviving only where the road has a central median or at least two lanes per direction under Law 5209/2025. Exceed them and the penalty is a suspension as much as a fine: €150 up to 20 km/h over, €350 plus 30 days without your licence and vehicle documents from 30 km/h over, and €700 plus a 60-day suspension beyond 50 km/h over.

Your case: Whether 30 or 50 binds you depends on the exact street, and what else Greece will ask of your car depends on the rest of your route — Plan My Drive assembles the Greek leg with tolls, mandatory kit and tyre dates in one checklist.

The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC, trucks over 3.5 tonnes are held to 50/80/80 km/h, and the minimum age to drive a car is 17.

🛞 Check your car: Emission Zone Checker — instant verdict for 596 European emission zones, free.

💡 Try it yourself: World Speed Limit Map — Greece’s limits by road type, next to 194 other countries, free.

Emergency Numbers in Greece

General Emergency: 112 | Police: 100 | Ambulance: 166 | Fire: 199

Save these numbers before you start driving. In Greece, emergency calls are free from any phone.

Speed Limits in Greece

The default speed limits for passenger cars in Greece are 30 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 130 km/h on motorways.

Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, and 80 km/h on motorways.

For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: Turkey (130 km/h, 140 km/h on build-operate-transfer toll motorways), Bulgaria (140 km/h), Albania (130 km/h).

Speed camera coverage in Greece is relatively limited, but mobile radar units are used. The typical enforcement tolerance is about 10 km/h.

Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.

Speeding Fines and Penalties

Speeding fines in Greece escalate based on how far you exceed the limit. Up to 20 km/h over: EUR 150. 20-30 km/h over: EUR 150 + licence suspension 20 days. 30-50 km/h over: EUR 350 + licence and vehicle-document suspension 30 days. More than 50 km/h over: EUR 700 + licence suspension 60 days.

Warning for foreign drivers: Greece pursues unpaid fines through cross-border enforcement agreements. You may receive a penalty notice at your home address weeks or months after your trip.

Other common fines:

• Mobile phone use while driving: EUR 350 + licence suspension 30 days (EUR 1,000 and 180 days on a repeat)
• Running a red light: EUR 700 + licence suspension 60 days
• Seatbelt violation: EUR 350 + licence and vehicle-document suspension 30 days

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.

Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.

Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal. The fine is EUR 350 plus a 30-day suspension of your licence and vehicle documents, rising to EUR 1,000 and 180 days for a repeat offence. Use hands-free devices only.

Daytime running lights are required in most situations. Dipped headlights must be used in tunnels, rain, and reduced visibility.

Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.

Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits

The legal blood alcohol limit in Greece is 0.05% BAC. This is higher than Albania, which bans driving after any drinking (0.0% BAC). Exceeding this limit results in fines, licence suspension, and possible criminal charges. For novice drivers and professional drivers, stricter limits may apply.

The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.

Tyre Requirements and Regulations

Winter tyres are not required in Greece. Standard tyres are sufficient for normal driving conditions.

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm.

Studded tyres are prohibited in Greece.

For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Greece guide.

Mandatory Vehicle Equipment

Vehicles in Greece must carry the following:

Required:

• Warning triangle
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher

Recommended:

• Reflective vest (high-visibility)
• Spare bulbs

Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.

Driving License Requirements

EU and EEA driving licences are valid in Greece without additional documentation. Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.

The minimum driving age is 17 years.

EU/EEA licences valid. IDP required for non-Latin-script licences.

Parking and Fuel

City-centre parking in Greece is typically paid — use parking meters, ticket machines, or mobile payment apps. Look for P+R (park and ride) facilities on the outskirts connected to public transport.

Fuel prices change every week. The figures in the box at the top of this page come from the European Commission’s Weekly Oil Bulletin for Greece, taxes included, and are refreshed when a new bulletin appears.

Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.

Seasonal Driving Conditions

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers. Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C — carry water, use air conditioning, and take breaks to avoid fatigue. Sun glare is a significant hazard; quality sunglasses are essential.

Winter is mild in coastal areas but mountain roads may see snow and ice. Check conditions before mountain driving in winter.

Practical Driving Tips for Greece

• Speed camera warning apps (Waze, Google Maps) are legal here.
• Dashcams are legal and recommended for evidence in case of an accident.
• Police can issue on-the-spot fines. Carry cash or a valid payment card.
• Download offline maps of Greece before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
• Check if you need a motorway vignette (toll sticker) or an environmental zone sticker for city driving.
• Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
• Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.

Greece cut the default built-up-area limit to 30 km/h on 1 January 2026. 50 km/h now applies only on one-way roads with at least two lanes, two-way roads with at least two lanes per direction, or roads with a central median — unless a sign says otherwise.