Taxi drivers suspend service with 48-hour strike on 28 and 29 May.
Taxi drivers are staging a 48-hour strike starting at 6:00 am on Wednesday, 28th May. The strike ends at 6:00 am on Friday, 30th May.
This walkout comes after new government proposals and ongoing disputes in the transport sector. One main issue? The Deputy Minister for Transport suggested lowering taxi fares on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The idea is to get folks who’ve been drinking to use taxis more, with the state covering any lost income for drivers. Taxi drivers aren’t buying it—they see the plan as unfair and kind of a headache.
Strikers want to scrap the rule that all new taxis must be zero-emission vehicles from January 2026. They say this requirement would make their work tougher and more expensive.
Another big ask: clamp down on illegal ride-hailing apps that dodge taxes and send profits overseas. Licensed drivers feel like they’re carrying all the weight while others slip by.
Drivers also want a clearer legal line between taxis and rental cars with drivers. In their eyes, taxis offer public transport from A to B, while rental cars just sell time on the road.
They argue that this difference matters for fair rules and competition. Tougher penalties and real enforcement against illegal taxi activity are high on their list, too.
Other demands? Here’s a quick rundown:
- Proper use of digital platforms for private hire contract management
- A register for rental vehicles with drivers
- Law requiring criminal record certificate renewal for special taxi licenses
- Digital permits integrated into government digital wallets
They’re also pushing for the government to enforce tax collection rules on taxi fares right now. As for fares, they’re asking for an increase that matches the recent bump in the minimum wage, since that’s now the basis for new tax rules on taxi owners.
They want controversial tax law tweaks gone, plus the return of a €12,000 tax-free income threshold. Financial relief is another sticking point.
VAT cuts or exemptions when buying pro vehicles (taxis) would help. Lower fuel taxes or direct subsidies would take the edge off rising costs, too.
Important strike details:
Date and Time |
Action |
|---|---|
28 May, 06:00 |
Strike begins |
30 May, 06:00 |
Strike ends |
Key grievances:
- Opposition to reduced fares with government subsidies
- Challenge to mandatory zero-emission taxis from 2026
- Illegal ride apps avoiding taxes
- Need for clearer laws separating taxis and rental cars
- Demand for tougher enforcement against illegal taxi operations
- Calls for better digital tools and permits management
- Requests for financial relief, tax threshold return, VAT reduction, and fuel subsidies
The strike will probably cause delays and make finding a taxi in Athens—and elsewhere—a pain for those two days. Passengers might want to plan ahead and consider other ways to get around.
