The new road traffic regulations will come into force on 13 September 2025 – high fines and severe penalties for violations!

The new road traffic regulations are in force

A new traffic code kicked in on Saturday, 13 September 2025. This update brings stricter penalties and much higher fines for anyone breaking road laws.

The main goal? To boost road safety and cut down on repeat offences by hitting serial violators with tougher punishments every time.

The new rules really zero in on big problems like using your phone behind the wheel, speeding, and parking where you shouldn’t—especially in spots meant for disabled people.

Authorities now use advanced tech and stricter enforcement to get people to follow the rules and keep everyone safer, whether they’re driving or just crossing the street.

Key Takeways

• Penalties and fines have been raised to strengthen road safety.
• Repeat offenders face increasingly severe consequences.
• New enforcement tools aim to improve compliance and protect pedestrians.

Understanding the Repeat Offence System

The new code now tracks drivers who keep breaking the rules. Instead of wiping the slate clean after each fine, the system adds up offences and ramps up penalties for repeat offenders.

Each infraction goes on your record. If you break the rules again, the penalties get heavier—not just the fines, but also things like longer licence suspensions or, in extreme cases, criminal charges.

Simple slip-ups get treated differently from drivers who just don’t seem to learn. The more you break the law, the harder it hits.

Financial penalties start small but can jump to thousands of euros if you keep breaking the rules. For example, get caught using your phone again and you might pay €1,000; keep going and it could hit €4,000.

Administrative sanctions go up too. Lose your licence for months or even years if you don’t change your ways. Really serious repeat offenders might even face criminal prosecution.

Severe penalties for mobile phone use while driving

If you get caught holding a mobile phone while driving, be ready for much stiffer penalties. In Greece, about 9% of drivers use their phones behind the wheel—way above the European average.

Before, you’d probably just pay a fine and maybe lose your licence or plates for a bit. Now, the fines are much steeper.

Now, if you keep breaking the rule, you could lose your licence for years. That’s not just a slap on the wrist—it’s life-changing.

If your phone use causes an accident, you might end up in court facing criminal charges. That’s a big shift; using your phone dangerously is a legal issue now, not just a traffic one.

Distracted driving is a huge problem in Greece, and these new rules are a direct response. The numbers don’t lie—tougher measures are overdue.

The new rules spell out hefty penalties, and you can read all the details in the official announcements here.

It’s not just about phones, either. Greece has also cracked down on drunk driving, since alcohol is behind one in four fatal accidents around Europe.

For alcohol-related offences:

• Fines start from €1,000 and can reach €4,000 for repeat offenders.
• Licence suspensions may last up to 10 years.
• In cases of severe intoxication, authorities may immobilise and store the vehicle.
• Criminal proceedings can also be initiated.

These measures target the two biggest dangers on Greek roads: distraction and drunk driving. The hope is that bigger consequences will finally make a difference.

Drivers should know: holding a mobile phone while driving is now a serious offence. The law treats it as a real threat to public safety, aiming to get dangerous drivers off the roads for a long time.

Enforcement is getting tighter, and awareness is more important than ever. The link between distracted driving and accidents is obvious, and the law now matches that reality.

If you keep using your phone behind the wheel, you risk losing your licence or even facing jail time. It’s just not worth it.

If you’re tempted to use your phone while driving, think twice—the risks just aren’t worth it. This crackdown is a big move to make Greek roads safer for everyone.

Helmet and Seatbelt Rules

Seatbelts and helmets save lives, but honestly, a lot of people in Greece still ignore them. Numbers lag behind the rest of Europe.

• Only about 71% of drivers consistently wear their seatbelts.
• For passengers on motorcycles, roughly 65.5% wear helmets, while the European average is closer to 94%.

The new rules mean stricter enforcement. If a passenger skips the helmet or seatbelt, both passenger and driver get fined.

Repeat the mistake and the penalties get tougher. If it happens twice, the driver might lose their licence for a year.

The message is clear: everyone in the vehicle has to take responsibility. Wearing helmets and seatbelts isn’t just a rule—it’s common sense that could save your life.

Excessive Speeding

Excessive speeding is still the most common traffic violation in Greece. In 2024, authorities recorded over 338,000 such offences—so yeah, it’s a huge problem, and honestly, earlier attempts to stop it haven’t worked out well.

The latest traffic laws now bring tougher penalties into play. Inside cities, speed limits have dropped, sometimes down to 30 km/h on smaller streets, all in the name of safety.

If you get caught racing or just keep breaking the speed limit, the consequences get a lot worse. Illegal street racing—those infamous street duels—means you’ll lose your licence, especially if you’re a repeat offender.

Fines climb fast with the level of speeding. Go over 200 km/h? You could be paying up to €8,000.

Your licence might disappear for up to four years, too. That’s how seriously they’re taking this on public roads.

2,000 Euros Fine for Parking on Disabled Ramps

Illegal parking is everywhere in Greek cities, and it’s a headache for a lot of people. Tons of fines every year go to folks who park in disabled spots, ramps, and crossings.

Right now, the rules slap you with a fine of up to £2,000 for blocking a disabled ramp. That’s supposed to make people think twice before blocking essential access points.

If you do it again, you could lose your licence for a year. That’s a pretty strong message about how much this matters for accessibility and safety.

Key points to note:

• Fine: Up to £2,000 for parking on disabled ramps
• Repeat offence: Licence suspension for 12 months
• Purpose: Protect access and mobility for disabled individuals

Priority for Public Transport

The new traffic rules really push for smooth rides for public transport, especially in Athens and Thessaloniki. Bus lanes aren’t just a suggestion anymore—they’re strictly guarded against illegal use.

Fines have jumped for anyone who drives or parks in bus lanes. The idea is to keep bus schedules on track and the whole network running better.

Free taxis can’t just cruise down bus lanes, either, unless it’s a drop-off, nighttime, or they’re a special vehicle—like for people with disabilities or a zero-emission car.

• Passenger drop-off
• Nighttime operation
• Special vehicles, such as those for people with disabilities or zero-emission cars

These rules put public transport first and help certain essential vehicles get through, which should cut down on delays and traffic jams in key spots.

Technology Supporting Traffic Safety

Technology’s stepping in big time when it comes to traffic safety. Automated cameras now sit in key spots, catching people speeding, running red lights, skipping seat belts or helmets—basically, the works.

These cameras run around the clock and send real-time data straight to the authorities. Police connect through central digital systems, so they can spot offenders and send fines right away.

Driver histories update instantly, making it easier to track repeat offenders. The whole thing is a lot more efficient than the old manual checks.

Key technology features include:

• Automated cameras for constant traffic monitoring
• Direct communication between devices and police
• Digital records of violations and driver history
• Immediate fine notifications through official platforms

This setup makes it tough to dodge responsibility. The focus is really on prevention—constant surveillance, not just random checks. Honestly, it’s hard to argue with the logic: the more you know you’re being watched, the less likely you are to break the rules.

Source: CretaTimes

New Traffic Code: Strict Fines and Penalties for Pedestrian Collisions

The updated Traffic Code (Law 5209/2025) spells out exactly how drivers and pedestrians need to interact. Drivers have to watch out for pedestrians, crossing or not. That’s not just a suggestion—it’s written right into the rules.

If an accident happens at a crossing, the driver’s on the hook. They need to slow down early and stop if someone’s crossing, and the bar’s even higher if the pedestrian is disabled or visually impaired.

Ignore a pedestrian at a crossing and you could be looking at a €700 fine and a suspended licence. Do it again, and the penalties get worse.

Pedestrians aren’t off the hook, either. The law says they should use crossings and follow lights, or face a small fine (about €30). It’s a reminder that everyone needs to pay attention—not just drivers.

Still, even if a pedestrian makes a mistake, drivers can’t just shrug off responsibility. If you’re speeding, tailgating, or distracted, you can still be blamed. The law looks at shared responsibility, so a careless pedestrian might lose compensation, but the driver’s not off the hook if they messed up too.

If someone gets hurt or worse, the consequences get heavy. We’re talking possible jail time (two to three years), fines, or community service. If a death happens, things get even more serious.

If you want the nitty-gritty, you can check the official published regulations. The message is pretty clear: pay attention, respect pedestrians, and don’t cut corners. It’s not just about avoiding fines—it’s about keeping everyone safe out there.

First Traffic Fines Sent Directly to Mobile Phones via Smart Cameras

The new system now sends traffic fines straight to your digital inbox. You can check these through the gov.gr wallet on your phone.

This speeds up everything—drivers get notified fast, without the weird, years-long delays that used to happen. Honestly, it’s about time.

Smart cameras are popping up all over the country, keeping an eye on the usual traffic offenders. Different authorities run these cameras: the Attica region, highway police, and public transport organizations like OASA and OASTH.

Right now, there are 388 new cameras focusing on red-light runners. Another thousand or so are on the way, thanks to new public contracts.

Here’s what they’re looking for:

• Using your phone while driving
• Ignoring pedestrian crossings
• Not wearing a seat belt or helmet

When a camera catches something, it sends the evidence to the police for a quick review. If the violation checks out, the fine goes straight to your gov.gr wallet—just like that.

You’ll also get an SMS right after the offence. It’s a heads-up that your driving’s been recorded and is under review, so there’s not much chance you’ll miss or forget about a fine now.

Fines come into the system from a few main sources:

This digital process makes the whole traffic fine thing more transparent and way more efficient. No more waiting years for a notice—enforcement is finally catching up with the times.

Want more info about how the mobile fine notifications work? Check out the latest updates on calls sent directly from the smart cameras.

Heavy Fines Target 350,000 Drivers

After the summer break, thousands of drivers will see electronic fines for all kinds of violations caught during June’s vehicle checks. Authorities cross-checked data from different registries and found over 350,000 vehicle owners breaking the law.

The main issues? No valid roadworthiness certificate (that’s the KTEO), unpaid circulation taxes, or driving an uninsured car. Out of everyone caught, 150,000 didn’t have an up-to-date KTEO, and 90,000 hadn’t paid their car taxes.

Some folks managed to rack up two or even three violations at once. Think uninsured cars with expired inspections or unpaid taxes—yeah, it’s a mess.

It gets a bit odd. Some vehicles showed up as uninsured but had paid their circulation taxes, so they were definitely on the road. Others had insurance but skipped paying taxes, which really points to a need for cleaning up the vehicle registry.

What the Penalties Involve

The new law spells out fines based on how serious the violation is:

Authorities will start sending out notifications by late August or maybe early September. After that, inspections will happen every six months to keep everyone in line.

Process and Enforcement

If you get fined, you can file a complaint within five working days. Fix the issue—pay your taxes, renew insurance, or update the KTEO—within ten days, and they’ll drop the fine.

If you don’t sort it out, the fine sticks. Repeat offenders could lose their licence plates or even get their car de-registered after more checks in three to twelve months.

By the end of September, highway cameras will start cracking down even harder. They’ll spot cars driving while officially declared inactive, and those fines can hit €10,000.

It’s a mix of automated monitoring and data checks, and honestly, it’s about time authorities got this strict. Cameras on key roads already help track down offenders.

If you want all the nitty-gritty details on the new penalties and what happens next, here’s the official update on the legislation.

Implications for Vehicle Owners

When so many drivers rack up multiple offences, it’s clear that a lot of folks just aren’t following the most basic vehicle rules. The threat of hefty fines—sometimes running into the thousands—should make anyone think twice about skipping out on insurance, roadworthiness checks, or taxes.

It’s honestly smart for owners to check their vehicle status now and then. Renew your insurance on time, pay those circulation taxes, and make sure your KTEO certificate’s up to date if you want to avoid headaches later.

Officials keep urging everyone to update their registration records. That way, enforcement hits the right vehicles and avoids pointless mix-ups.

Please leave this field empty

Don’t miss the daily tips and news about Crete!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Please leave this field empty

Don’t miss the daily tips and news about Crete!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.