Holiday travel is being disrupted across several parts of the country due to ongoing farmer roadblocks and traffic diversions on major highways. Significant delays are reported in Ritsona, Thebes, Schimatari, on the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway near Orchomenos and Aliartos, as well as at the Larissa junction.

Traffic has resumed at the Malgara toll station, with lanes now open in both directions. According to police, vehicles heading toward Athens are using two lanes, while three lanes are available toward Thessaloniki. The northbound carriageway had been intermittently open in previous days, while the southbound direction reopened today after remaining closed for 22 days.

Despite traffic police diversions, congestion remains heavy in several areas. Long queues have formed in Schimatari, stretching as far as Ritsona, while bottlenecks are also reported in Thebes, on the Thebes ring road and the northern bypass. In some cases, drivers have been forced onto rural dirt roads near Orchomenos due to congestion on secondary routes.

Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou stated that traffic police are not directing drivers onto dirt roads, attributing such routes to GPS navigation systems suggesting alternative paths. Drivers have been urged to follow only official traffic police instructions and avoid attempting unofficial detours through blocked areas.

Elsewhere, some blockades have eased. Farmers at the Kalpaki roadblock in Ioannina have opened the road until Friday, pending further decisions. In Western Macedonia, traffic has fully resumed on both the Egnatia Odos and the Kozani–Ioannina national road. Similarly, farmers at the western Komotini junction of the Egnatia Odos have announced that the motorway toward Xanthi will remain open until 26 December.

Traffic problems persist on the Athens–Lamia national road, with diversions in place near Martino and Ritsona, as well as on the old Volos–Larissa national road, which is being used as an alternative route near the Nikaia junction.

Authorities warn that congestion is expected to continue as Christmas holiday departures peak, and drivers are advised to plan their journeys carefully and monitor official traffic updates.

Highway access and road safety are now the main issues facing traffic authorities, as farmers continue their presence at blockades across the national road network, opening only selected lanes to facilitate Christmas travel.

At the same time, the passage of vehicles through highways where tractors are positioned on both sides raises concerns about capacity and safety, given the increased volume of holiday traffic. With tractors occupying parts of the roadway, estimating travel times remains difficult, while traffic police have highlighted risks linked to reduced road width. As a result, many drivers are being redirected to bypass routes, leading to longer journeys.

The government continues to express support for dialogue and has reiterated its request to meet with a unified delegation representing farmers, with the aim of easing tensions and addressing outstanding issues in the agricultural sector. Officials note that prolonged disruptions risk affecting public support for the mobilizations, given the inconvenience to road users.

According to government sources, of the 27 demands submitted by farmers, 16 have been addressed, four are under review, and seven cannot be implemented due to institutional or financial constraints, including European regulations.

Tsiaras: Steps taken to de-escalate tensions

Speaking to ERTnews, Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras said the government has taken steps to encourage dialogue with the farming community, acknowledging that the sector has faced significant challenges in recent years.

He noted that despite strong production levels, low market prices for agricultural products have created difficulties, emphasizing that pricing is influenced largely by global supply and demand rather than national policy. He added that the government has already moved to address these pressures and that discussions are ongoing regarding the redistribution of funds generated through tax audits and unused basic aid, within the limits set by the national budget and EU rules.

Mr. Tsiaras stressed that any further discussion with farmers would focus on how available resources can be allocated more effectively to areas where support is most needed.

Adjustments to tractor placement

Most blockades remain concentrated in Thessaly, Central Greece, and Northern Greece, requiring increased attention from drivers. Farmers, in coordination with traffic police and the Panhellenic Committee of Blockades, are expected to reposition tractors in several locations to improve traffic flow during the peak holiday period.

Key blockades include Nikaia in Larissa on the PATHE motorway, as well as sections of the E65 motorway near Karditsa and Trikala. On the Athens–Lamia national road, traffic is being diverted at Martinou and Ritsona, while bypass routes remain in use.

Additional blockades are in place on the Patras ring road, in Malgara, Thermi, Komotini, Siatista, and Kalpaki, with varying traffic arrangements. In several locations, farmers have announced temporary openings of highways through December 26 to facilitate holiday travel, including the full reopening of certain sections of the Egnatia Odos.

Farmers’ coordinating bodies are expected to meet later in the week to assess developments and decide on any further actions.