Hiring a car in Greece, or taking your own? Here’s what UK motorists should check before setting off.
Greece can be a wonderful country to explore by car. A vehicle gives you the freedom to reach beaches, villages, archaeological sites, mountain roads and quieter areas that can be awkward by public transport. On the islands, a hire car can turn a simple beach holiday into a much more flexible trip.
It’s also a country where driving can change quickly. A modern motorway, a busy Athens street, a mountain pass, a rough rural road and a narrow island lane all demand different levels of care. Local driving standards can feel more relaxed than UK motorists are used to, road surfaces can vary, and signs may appear in Greek and English – or sometimes only in Greek.
For most UK visitors, Greece is more of a fly-drive destination than somewhere you’ll take your own car. Driving from Britain is possible, but it’s a long journey across several countries and may involve ferries, extra insurance checks and much more planning. Hiring a car in Greece will usually be the simpler option.
If you are taking your own car from the UK to Greece, remember that the rules apply in every country you drive through, not just your final destination. Depending on your route, you may also need to check our guides to driving in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany or Italy before you set off.
Documents you need to drive in Greece
You must carry your full UK driving licence when driving in Greece. If you have a UK photocard licence, you can use it to drive there as a visitor. If you still have a paper driving licence, check the latest UK government guidance before travelling, as you may need to update it or carry a 1968 International Driving Permit as well.
You should also carry your passport. If you’re taking your own car, carry proof of insurance and the car’s V5C registration document. If your car is more than three years old, take the MOT certificate as well.
If the car isn’t registered in your name – for example, if it’s leased, financed, hired or borrowed – you should take written permission from the registered keeper. For leased or hired cars taken abroad from the UK, this usually means a VE103 certificate.
You no longer normally need a European insurance “green card” for Greece, but you should still check with your insurer before you go. If you’re driving all the way from the UK, you’ll also need to check cover for every country on your route, not just Greece.
Hiring a car in Greece
For most UK holidaymakers, hiring a car in Greece will be more realistic than taking a car from Britain. There are plenty of rental companies at airports, ports and tourist resorts, but standards, prices and policies can vary.
Check the rental company’s licence rules before you travel. Some companies may set a higher minimum age, require a certain amount of driving experience, or ask for an International Driving Permit even where the national rules do not require one for a UK photocard licence.
Insurance is one of the big checks. Some rental deals come with a large excess if the car is damaged, stolen or returned with certain types of damage. Tyres, wheels, windscreens, roof damage, underbody damage and lost keys may be excluded from basic cover, which is relevant if you’ll be driving on rough rural roads or island tracks.
Before driving away, take photos or video of the car, including the wheels, tyres, bumpers, glass, roof, interior and underside where visible. Make sure any existing damage is marked on the rental paperwork or app.
Ask whether the car can be taken on ferries. Some rental companies do not allow island-hopping, or they may require written permission and extra insurance. You should also check whether you’re allowed to drive on unsealed roads, as damage on gravel tracks may not be covered.
Fuel policy matters as well. “Full to full” is usually the simplest arrangement, because you collect the car full and return it full. Other policies can be more expensive or less transparent.
UK stickers and number plates
Your car must show that it’s from the UK. A number plate with a UK identifier and Union flag is accepted in Greece. If your number plate still has a GB badge, an EU flag, a national flag such as England, Scotland or Wales, or no country identifier at all, you need to display a separate UK sticker on the rear of the car.
The old GB sticker is no longer valid for UK cars driving abroad.
Rules of the road
Greece drives on the right. Roundabouts run anticlockwise, overtaking is on the left, and you should move back to the right after passing another vehicle on motorways and faster roads.
For UK drivers, the first few miles can feel strange, especially when leaving an airport, port, petrol station or hotel car park. Take it gently at first and pay particular attention at roundabouts, junctions and slip roads.
Priority rules can feel less obvious than in the UK. Vehicles from the right often have priority unless signs or road markings say otherwise, but local layouts and driver behaviour can vary. Do not assume the bigger-looking road automatically has priority.
Greek city driving can be busy and assertive, especially in Athens and Thessaloniki. Scooters and motorcycles are common, and they may appear alongside you in traffic or move into gaps that UK drivers wouldn’t expect. Check mirrors and blind spots carefully before turning, changing lane or opening a door.
On rural and island roads, expect the unexpected. You may meet animals, parked vehicles, fallen rocks, rough surfaces, sharp bends, unmarked hazards or local traffic using more of the road than you expect. Do not drive close to the edge of narrow roads just because someone behind you wants to go faster.
Traffic lights use red, amber and green. Some junctions may use flashing amber, which means proceed with caution and give way where required. Smaller islands and rural areas may have very few traffic lights, so take extra care at junctions.
Mobile phone use while driving is not allowed unless you’re using an approved hands-free system. Set up your navigation, music and calls before moving off.
Seatbelts must be worn where fitted. Children need an appropriate child restraint, so check the latest rules before travelling if you’re carrying young passengers. If you’re hiring a car, confirm child seats before arrival rather than assuming the rental desk will have the correct size available.
Speed limits in Greece
Greece uses kilometres per hour, not miles per hour. Speed limits can vary by road type, vehicle type and local signs, so always follow the signs in front of you.
Unless signs say otherwise, the usual limits for cars are:
| Road type | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Urban areas | 30km/h (18mph) |
| Some larger urban roads, where signed | 50km/h (31mph) |
| Unpaved roads | 40km/h (24mph) |
| Roads outside urban areas | 90km/h (55mph) |
| Expressways | 110km/h (68mph) |
| Motorways | 130km/h (80mph) |
The old assumption that town driving in Greece is generally 50km/h is no longer a safe default. Some urban roads may still be signed at 50km/h, but the official general urban limit is now lower.
Speed cameras, police checks and local enforcement can apply, and fines can be serious. Do not be tempted to follow local drivers who appear to ignore the limit.
Speed camera detectors and radar jammers are not allowed. If your satnav or phone app includes speed-camera alerts, check the latest rules and disable the feature before driving if necessary.
Alcohol limits
Greece has a lower drink-drive limit than England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The standard blood alcohol limit is 0.5g/l (which is the same as Scotland).
A lower 0.2g/l limit applies to novice drivers, professional drivers, moped riders and motorcycle riders.
The safest advice is simple: if you’re driving, don’t drink. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect judgement and reaction times, especially when you’re driving on the right, dealing with unfamiliar roads, riding heat and glare, or returning from a late meal the next morning.
Greek police can carry out roadside checks, and drink-driving penalties can include fines, licence penalties and more serious consequences.
Motorways, tolls and breakdowns
Greece has invested heavily in its motorway network, and main routes such as the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway, Egnatia Odos, Ionia Odos, Attiki Odos, Olympia Odos and other major roads can make long journeys easier than they used to be.
Many Greek motorways use tolls. Payment may be by cash, card or electronic transponder, depending on the road and toll station. If you’re hiring a car, ask whether any electronic toll device is fitted and how charges will be billed.
Some important crossings and tunnels also charge, including major bridges and tunnels. Check your route before travelling, especially if you’ll be covering long distances or moving between mainland regions.
If you break down, move as far away from traffic as safely possible. Use your hazard lights, put on a high-visibility jacket if you have one, place the warning triangle if it’s safe to do so, and move passengers away from the road.
If you’re in a hire car, contact the rental company once everyone is safe. Don’t arrange repairs yourself unless the rental company has told you to do so.
If you’re taking your own car, European breakdown cover is strongly recommended. Recovery, storage, replacement transport and bringing a car back to the UK can become expensive quickly, especially if your route involves ferries or multiple countries.
Island roads, ferries and rural routes
Driving on Greek islands can be very different from driving on mainland motorways. Roads may be narrow, steep, twisting or poorly surfaced, and some routes to beaches or viewpoints may be gravel rather than sealed tarmac.
Do not assume that every road shown on a navigation app is suitable for an ordinary hire car. Some tracks may be rough, steep or narrow, and rental insurance may not cover damage caused away from normal roads.
If you’re taking a hire car on a ferry, get permission from the rental company first. Some companies do not allow ferry travel at all, while others may allow it only with written permission and extra cover.
Fuel planning matters on islands and in rural areas. Some places have few filling stations, limited opening hours or long gaps between services. Do not run the tank low, particularly before travelling to a beach, mountain route or ferry port.
Low-emission zones and city restrictions
Greece does not have the same widespread low-emission-zone system as some other European countries, but Athens has traffic restrictions that can affect access to parts of the city.
The best-known system is the “daktylios”, or ring, which limits access to parts of central Athens at certain times. Rules can vary by date, vehicle type, emissions status and local policy, and tourist hire cars may not be treated the same as resident vehicles.
If you are driving into Athens or another large city, check official local guidance before travelling. For many visitors, the simplest option is not to drive into the city centre at all. Use hotel parking, public transport, taxis or park outside the busiest areas where possible.
What you must carry in the car
You should carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher when driving in Greece. These are listed as required safety equipment for cars.
A high-visibility jacket is also strongly recommended, even if it is not always listed in the same way as the other items. Keep it somewhere you can reach from inside the car rather than buried under luggage.
Your headlights must not dazzle oncoming traffic. Some modern cars allow you to switch the beam pattern or tourist mode through the settings menu. Others may need stick-on beam deflectors.
A torch, water, phone charging cable and offline maps are also sensible, especially if you’ll be driving in rural areas, on islands or in hot weather. Many European driving kits include several useful items, but check the contents rather than assuming everything is covered.
If you’re hiring a car, check the equipment before you leave the rental site. If something is missing, ask the rental company to provide it or confirm in writing what you should do.
Parking in Greece
Parking can be difficult in Greek towns, cities and tourist areas, especially in Athens, Thessaloniki, ports and busy island resorts.
Look carefully for signs, road markings, residents’ spaces, parking meters and local restrictions before leaving the car. Do not park near junctions, pedestrian crossings, bus or tram stops, fire hydrants, traffic lights or anywhere your car blocks access.
Some streets use controlled parking, and payment methods can vary by town or city. If you are unsure, use a proper car park rather than guessing at street restrictions.
Illegally parked vehicles can be towed, and police may remove number plates in some circumstances. If you are hiring a car, the rental company may also charge an administration fee if it receives a fine or penalty notice after your trip.
Fuel, charging and route planning
Petrol, diesel and LPG are available in Greece, but fuel planning needs more care than in some countries. Motorway service areas exist, but they may not be as frequent as UK drivers expect, and island or rural stations may have limited opening hours.
In Greece, many filling stations are attended, so do not be surprised if a member of staff fills the car for you. Card payments are common in many areas, but it is still sensible to carry some cash, especially away from major tourist routes.
If you are driving an electric car, plan carefully. Greece’s charging network is growing, but coverage can vary sharply by region, island and route. Check charging points before travelling, take more than one payment option and do not assume that every resort or rural area will have reliable public charging.
In summer, plan around heat as well as distance. Keep water in the car, avoid running the fuel or battery too low, and be realistic about long journeys in high temperatures.
Emergency numbers in Greece
If you need emergency help in Greece, dial 112. This is the European emergency number and can be used for ambulance, fire or police assistance.
Greece also has separate national emergency numbers: 100 for police, 166 for ambulance and 199 for the fire service. If you are unsure which service you need, 112 is usually the simplest number to call.
The European emergency number 112 can be called free of charge from a mobile or landline. You should be able to get help in English, although this may depend on where you are and who answers the call.
If you break down on a motorway or fast road, don’t stay in the car if it’s unsafe. Move everyone away from traffic if possible and call for help from a safe place.
If you’re in a hire car, contact the rental company once everyone is safe. Don’t arrange repairs yourself unless the rental company has told you to do so.
Common mistakes by UK drivers in Greece
The first mistake is assuming that a cheap hire car is good value without checking the insurance, condition and restrictions. Greece’s rural roads, island tracks and ferry travel can all create problems if the rental agreement excludes them.
The second is trusting navigation apps too much. A route may look fine on the screen but turn into a steep, narrow or rough road that is not suitable for your car or your confidence level.
The third is underestimating local driving habits. Some drivers may overtake assertively, ignore speed limits or expect you to make space. Do not copy them, and do not be pressured into driving faster than feels safe.
Fuel and charging are another easy trap. On islands and rural routes, do not leave refuelling or charging until the last moment, especially late in the day.
Finally, if you are driving your own car from the UK, do not focus only on Greece. You will need to comply with the rules in every country you cross, and your insurance and breakdown cover need to match the whole journey.
Checklist for driving in Greece
Before leaving the UK, check that you have:
- Driving licence
- Passport
- V5C registration document, if taking your own car
- Proof of insurance
- MOT certificate, if required
- UK sticker or UK number plate identifier
- VE103 or written permission, if needed
- Headlamp beam adjustment or deflectors
- Warning triangle
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- High-visibility jacket
- European breakdown cover, if taking your own car
- Torch
- Phone charging cable
- Offline maps or paper map
- Water and screenwash
If you’re hiring a car, check before driving away that you have:
- Rental agreement
- Insurance and excess details
- Emergency contact number for the rental company
- Fuel policy
- Ferry permission, if needed
- Cross-border permission, if needed
- Required safety equipment
- Photos or video of any existing damage
Greece can be a brilliant place to drive, but it rewards patience and preparation. Check the hire-car rules, take rural roads seriously, plan your fuel stops and give yourself more time than the map suggests.
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