Driving Rules and Road Signs in Greece

Speed limits in Greece

Speed limits in Greece are 130 km/h on motorways, 90 to 110 km/h on open roads and 50 km/h in built-up areas, unless a sign shows a lower figure. Limits drop sharply through villages and around bends, and speed cameras and police checks are common on the main routes. Hire cars show speed in km/h, so there is no need to convert.

Seat belts and child seats

Seat belts are compulsory for every passenger, front and rear. Children under 12 years old or shorter than 1.35 m must use an appropriate child seat or booster, which you can add to most hire cars for a small daily fee. Reserve the child seat when you book, because island fleets run short in summer.

Drink-driving limit

The drink-driving limit in Greece is 0.05% blood alcohol, lower than in England, and 0.02% for new and professional drivers. Police run roadside breath tests, and penalties are heavy, so the safe approach is not to drink if you are driving. Fines rise steeply above 0.08%.

Priority and roundabouts

Traffic from the right has priority at unmarked junctions, and you give way to whoever is already on a roundabout. Many rural crossroads have no markings at all, so slow down and be ready to yield. Flashing headlights from another driver in Greece often means they are coming through, not that they are giving way.

Road signs tourists should know

• A red circle with a number is the speed limit for that stretch.
• A red-bordered triangle warns of a hazard ahead, such as a bend or falling rocks.
• A blue circle gives a compulsory instruction, such as the direction you must take.
• STOP signs use the English word STOP, as across Europe.
• Place names appear in Greek and Latin script on main roads, but Greek only on minor ones.