From today, Saturday 13 September, the new Road Traffic Code comes into force, bringing significant changes aimed at reducing road accidents in Greece, which remains among the top EU countries in terms of road deaths.
The new Road Traffic Code introduces realistic and radical interventions focusing on the prevention of fatalities and serious injuries and the cultivation of traffic education. In particular, digital cameras will be activated in Attica and fines will be sent directly to offenders via the gov.gr platform.
One of the most important changes is the concept of recidivism: from now on, repeated offenses are not offset but instead result in cumulative penalties, increasing both monetary fines and administrative sanctions, such as license revocation or even criminal prosecutions.
Special emphasis is placed on mobile phone use while driving, where penalties have become much stricter. For example, the first offense is punished with a fine of €350 and license suspension for 30 days, while repeat offenses may result in fines of up to €2,000 and longer license suspensions, with criminal consequences in case of an accident.
At the same time, driving under the influence of alcohol is now punished more severely, with fines of up to €4,000, license suspension for up to 10 years, and criminal prosecutions that may even lead to 10 years in prison, especially if a fatal accident occurs.
In addition, the new Highway Code provides strict penalties for not using seatbelts and helmets, where the fine applies to both the driver and the passenger, while a second repeat offense can lead to a one-year license suspension.
Speed limits are being adjusted—reduced within cities and increased outside urban areas—while extremely high speeds carry fines of up to €8,000 and license suspension for 4 years.
Very strict penalties are also imposed for illegal parking on disabled access ramps, with fines of up to €2,000 and a one-year license suspension in case of repeat offenses.
The new Highway Code also reinforces the smooth operation of public transport, tightening fines for illegal parking and prohibiting taxis from using bus lanes, except in specific cases.
Finally, technology and digitalization are key tools in the effort to prevent and improve road safety, while the main challenge remains social acceptance and the change of driving culture. As officials point out, the new Highway Code is not about punishment but about prevention, giving priority to life and respect on the road.
Detailed penalties, as published by newsauto.gr
The new Highway Code redefines the penalties for violations.
What applies:
Violation: Use of mobile phone while driving
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First offense: €350 fine, 1-month license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 6-month license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
Violation: Speed limit
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First offense: €700 fine, 60-day license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 180-day license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
Street racing (speed over 200 km/h):
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First offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 2-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €8,000 fine, 4-year license suspension.
Causing an accident or crash (Article 290A Penal Code):
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Causing serious bodily injury/damage to public facilities: Up to 10 years imprisonment.
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Causing fatal accident: 10–20 years imprisonment.
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Causing multiple deaths: Life imprisonment.
Violation: Running a red light
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First offense: €700 fine, 60-day license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 180-day license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
Violation: Ignoring STOP sign
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Without accident:
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First offense: €350 fine, 30-day license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 180-day license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
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With accident:
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First offense: €700 fine, 60-day license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 4-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 8-year license suspension.
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Criminal penalties: 10 years, 10–30 years, or life imprisonment (depending on outcome).
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Violation: Driving without a license
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First offense: €1,000 fine, 1-year license suspension, up to 2 years imprisonment.
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First repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 4-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 8-year license suspension.
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With dangerous driving: Imprisonment under Penal Code provisions.
Causing a traffic accident:
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First repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 4-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 8-year license suspension.
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Criminal penalties (Article 290A Penal Code):
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Serious bodily injury/damage: Up to 10 years imprisonment.
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Fatal accident: 10–20 years imprisonment.
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Multiple deaths: Life imprisonment.
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Violation: Not wearing a helmet
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First offense: €350 fine, 1-month license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 6-month license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
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Passenger without helmet: €350 fine (applies to both driver and passenger).
Violation: Not wearing a seatbelt
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First offense: €350 fine, 1-month license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 6-month license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
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Passenger without seatbelt: €150 fine (applies to both driver and passenger).
Violation: Driving under the influence of alcohol
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Reading between 0.5–1.1 g/l: €350 fine, 1-month license suspension.
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Reading between 0.8–1.1 g/l: €700 fine, 3-month license suspension.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 6-month license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
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Reading over 1.1 g/l: €1,200 fine, license & plates suspension for 180 days, 2–5 years imprisonment.
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First repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 7-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 10-year license suspension.
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Causing accident or crash (Article 290A Penal Code):
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Serious injury/damage: Up to 10 years imprisonment.
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Fatal accident: 10–20 years imprisonment.
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Multiple deaths: Life imprisonment.
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Violation: Obstruction of public transport
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Illegal stopping/parking: €350 fine, 70-day license suspension.
Violation: Taxi entering bus lane
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Violation: €150 fine (no license suspension).
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Exceptions: Passenger pick-up/drop-off, nighttime driving, zero-emission taxis, disabled vehicles.
Violation: Parking in disabled parking space
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First offense: €150 fine, license and plates suspension for 60 days, vehicle removal.
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First repeat offense: €1,000 fine, 180-day license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 1-year license suspension.
Violation: Obstructing railway traffic
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First offense: €1,200 fine, 60-day license suspension, up to 5 years imprisonment.
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First repeat offense: €2,000 fine, 4-year license suspension.
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Second repeat offense: €4,000 fine, 8-year license suspension.
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With accident (Article 291 Penal Code): Up to 20 years imprisonment or life sentence.
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