International Road Transport Operations in Greece
Operational Activities
Cabotage
UK operators may carry loads to, from or through the country. However, any third country traffic may not be carried other than loads from
another EU member state unless prior authorisation is granted by the Greek Transport Authority. Cabotage is permitted.
Dangerous Goods
Greece is party to ADR. It is essential that fully completed ADR documentation is prepared for the movement of dangerous goods.
Abnormal Loads
Special authorisation must be obtained if vehicles/loads exceed maximum permitted weights and dimensions. Authorisations can be obtained
from EYDE, Fidipidou 8 Sevastoupoleos, Ampleokipi 115 26, Athens. Tel: +30 210 7710 108. You can download the EU Abnormal Load Best
Practice Guidelines below in pdf format.
Taxation
A full tank of fuel can be imported duty free - EU registered vehicles only.
Customs
TIR Carnets are accepted for vehicles crossing Greece to a non-EU Country. ATA Carnets are accepted for certain temporary imports.
A certified copy of community authorisation must be carried. CMR notes are advised.
Movement Restrictions
There are no driving restrictions on Sundays or Public Holidays. However, local restrictions are applicable during the Easter and
Summer periods. These local restrictions are applicable to all goods vehicles with a payload of 1.5 tonnes and over.
Prohibition
- 14 and 24 March, 27 October, 23 and 30 December and 5 January 2012 from 16.00 to 21.00 hours
- 21 April from 15.00 to 22.00 hours
- 22 April from 06.00 to 16.00 hours
- 29 April, 10 June and 12 August from 16.00 to 22.00 hours
- 30 May from 08.00 to 13.00 hours
- From 15 June to 15 September, every Friday from 16.00 to 21.00 hours
Area
- Athens - Corinth - Patra motorway, in the direction of Patra, between Elefsina toll and Rio toll
- Athens - Lamia - Thessaloniki motorway, in the direction of Thessaloniki, between the junctions of Agios Stefanos (Kryoneri) and Bralos; between the junctions of Lamia and Raches Fthiotidos and from Larissa to the region of Skotina
- Thessaloniki - Kavala motorway, in the direction of Kavala, between the junction of Modi and the bridge over the River Strimonas
- Thessaloniki - N Moudania motorway, in the direction of N Moudania, between the bridge at Thermi and km 34
- Schimatari - Chalkida motorway, in the direction of Chalkida, from the intersection with the Athens - Thessaloniki motorway to the Chalkida bridge
Prohibition
- 25 April, 26 December; 2 and 12 January 2012 and from 15.00 to 22.00 hours
- 7 and 25 March, and 28 October from 15.00 to 21.00 hours
- 1 May, 13 June and 15 August from 16.00 to 23.00 hours
- from 1 October 2008 to 31 May 2009, every Sunday from 15.00 to 21.00 hours
- from 15 June to 15 September, every Sunday from 15.00 to 22.00 hours
- from 1 January to 14 June, and from 16 September to 31 December, every Sunday from 15.00 to 21.00
Area
- Patras - Corinth - Athens motorway, in the direction of Athens, between Rio and Elefsina toll
- Thessaloniki - Athens motorway, in the direction of Athens, between the Skotina region and Larissa; between the junctions of Raches Fthiotidos and Lamia and between the junctions of Bralos and Agios Stefanos (Kryoneri)
- Kavala - Thessaloniki motorway, in the direction of Thessaloniki, between the bridge over the River Strimonas and the junction of Rentina
- N Moudania - Thessaloniki motorway, in the direction of Thessaloniki, between km 34 and the bridge at Thermi
- Chalkida - Schimatari motorway, in the direction of Athens, from the Chalkida bridge to the intersection with the Athens - Thessaloniki motorway
Exceptions
Exceptions to all of the above include vehicles transporting fresh milk, fresh fish, fresh meat or livestock as well as vehicles carrying
fresh fruit and vegetables.
Road, Tunnel & Bridge Tolls
A toll system is in place on the Athens - Lamia Motorway.
Vehicle Requirements
Documentation
Green Card required, plus original vehicle registration docs. A GB plate must be fitted to rear of vehicle/trailer.
| Maximum Weights & Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.1 metres |
| Width | 2.55 metres (Fridges 2.6 metres) |
| Length |
Artic 16.5 metres
Road Train 18.35 metres |
| Weight |
Artic 40 tonnes
Road Train 40 tonnes There are also various maximum permitted weights on vehicles, trailers and road trains which are applicable according to the number of axles. |
Safety Equipment
It is compulsory to carry the following items of equipment:-
- First Aid Kit
- Warning Triangle, which must be set behind the vehicle 55 metres in the event of a breakdown
- Fire Extinguisher
- Tyre tread depth is 1.6 millimetres
Driver Requirements
Legal Documents
Full passport required but no visa required. International driving licence in additiona to normal UK Licence.
Letter from employer giving driver permission to drive vehicle - Attestation letter and form.
Speed Limits
| Vehicles Concerned | Built-Up Areas (kms) | All Purpose Roads (kms) | Expressways / Dual Carraigeways (kms) | Motorways |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks over 3.5 tonnes | 50 | 80 | 80 | 85 |
| Artics & Road Trains | 50 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| Dangerous Goods | 50 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
Country Contact Info
British Embassy
1 Ploutarchou Street, 106 75 Athens Tel: +30 210 7272 600 Website: www.ukingreece.fco.gov.uk
Transport Organisation
Hellenic Federation of International Road Transports, OFAE, 351 Rue Patission, 11144 Athens, Greece Tel: +30 210 2019 760/2
Website: www.ofae.gr
