There are so many beautiful places to explore in Greece that can only be reached by car. As such, after moving to Greece, you may want to swap your driving license for a Greek license, to have the freedom to go wherever and whenever you please.
For stays up to six months (185 days), you will be able to drive in Greece with a valid license from your home country. For longer stays, you will need to apply for a Greek license. You can get more information about this from the nearest office of Transportation and Communication in Greece or the nearest Greek Consulate in your home country.
How do I exchange my non-Greek driving license for a Greek one?
Before the end of your six months, if you are going to stay in Greece, it is best to apply for a Greek driving license. To do so, you must fulfill the following criteria.
- Be living in Greece permanently
- Have a valid driving license from your home country
- Be above the minimum age for each driving category (the minimum age to drive an automobile in Greece is 18 years)
- Demonstrate the minimum mental and physical requirements required for your driving category
Greek driving license categories and age restrictions
The age restrictions for the most common types of driving licenses in Greece are as follows:
- AM (mopeds with a speed of over 25 Km/h – 45 Km/h): 16 years
- A1 (motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc): 18 years
- A2 (motorcycles not exceeding 35 kW): 20 years
- B1 (four-wheeled light motor vehicle): 18 years
- B (private cars): 18 years
- C1 (medium-sized vehicles): 18 years
What documents will be needed to get a Greek license?
There are several documents that you will be required to produce when you submit your application for a Greek driving license. It is best to check with the nearest office of Transportation and Communication to ensure there have been no changes:
- A completed application form
- A photocopy of your passport
- A photocopy of your valid residence permit or equivalent document, and this must have been issued at least 185 days earlier.
- Your valid full driving license issued in your home country – a temporary license is not sufficient
- An authorized translation of your license made by an attorney which clearly states which class of vehicles you are permitted to drive.
- A current ID-sized full-color photograph
- If you are exchanging a U.S. driving license, you must produce a receipt from a State Fund showing payment of the required revenue stamps and contributions to the Motorists Retirement Fund for each of the categories shown on your driving license.
- Two current medical certificates are required: one from an ophthalmologist and the other from a general practitioner doctor. Both doctors must be registered and approved by the Department of Transportation.
- Two revenue stamps from the National Bank of Greece for the medical certificates. Each stamp should be for the value of €45 and for the special account of legislative order No. 638/1970. You will also need four passport photographs.
- A statement from the Department of Motor Vehicles in your home U.S. state verifying that your American driving license has not been suspended due to a traffic violation. This statement should clearly show your Greek address and should be sent directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles in your home region to the nearest Greek Consulate in your home country, and from there, it will be forwarded to the appropriate Transportation Department in Greece.
- The charge for issuing you a Greek driving license and the admin is €30.00, which is requested in the form of a revenue stamp issued by the National Bank of Greece.
What if I have a UK driving license?
The procedure is very similar if you are a British national living in Greece and have a UK license. To begin the procedure of converting your driving licence, it is best to book an appointment with the nearest office of Transport and Communications or your nearest branch of the Citizen Service Center (ΚΕΠ / KEP). The documents you will need are virtually the same.
On average, it takes about 45 days for your Greek driving license to be processed, and you will be notified by SMS when it is ready for collection. Your original driving license will be held on file by the Transport and Communication office and will be returned to you if you require it when you are leaving Greece.
What if I have an EU driving license?
You can have only one EU driving license at a time. If you relocate to another EU country – such as Greece – you usually don’t have to exchange your driving license for a Greek one. However, you can do so if you prefer. Driving licenses issued by Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein are also valid in Greece.
Car rental rules in Greece
It is important to bear in mind that in Greece, the minimum age for renting a car is 21 years of age, and you must have held your driving license for at least one year. Some Greek car rental companies require two years of driving experience regardless of your age. The minimum age varies depending on the category of the vehicle.
