The Greek Police are being placed on heightened operational readiness ahead of the exodus of travelers for the Pentecost and Holy Spirit long weekend, aiming to ensure the safe movement of citizens and prevent traffic accidents across the national road network.

According to the Hellenic Police, the enhanced traffic policing measures will be implemented from Friday, May 29 through Monday, June 1, 2026, as particularly heavy vehicle traffic is expected toward popular destinations around the country.

The Traffic Police plan includes intensive checks at the entrances and exits of major urban centers, as well as an increased police presence at airports, ports, stations, and areas where there is a high risk of traffic accidents.

At the same time, targeted traffic checks will be carried out at rotating points across the road network, with emphasis on dangerous violations such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, mobile phone use while driving, failure to use seat belts and helmets, and illegal overtaking.

The Hellenic Police stress that checks will be continuous and strict throughout the four-day period, while both personnel and operational resources of the Traffic Police will remain on full alert to immediately address any incidents or traffic problems.

In addition, traffic bans for trucks with a maximum permitted weight exceeding 3.5 tons will come into effect, aiming to facilitate traffic flow and reduce the risk of accidents during peak hours.

The Greek Police are urging drivers to show responsibility and caution during their travels by adhering to the Highway Code, avoiding alcohol consumption before driving, and always using seat belts and helmets.

Special emphasis is also being placed on child safety through the use of child seats, as well as on the necessary technical inspection of vehicles before every trip.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” the Hellenic Police underline, noting that every decision made behind the wheel can have serious consequences both for drivers themselves and for other users of the road network.

Ban on the circulation of trucks over 3.5 tons

For safer vehicle movement and improved traffic flow during the Pentecost and Holy Spirit holiday period, in addition to local traffic facilitation measures, a traffic ban will apply to trucks with a maximum permitted weight over 3.5 tons as follows:

Friday, May 29, 2026, from 16:00 to 22:00 and Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 08:00 to 13:00:

• On the A8 motorway (Athens–Patras), from the Elefsina toll station (26+500 km) to the Rio toll station (199+660 km), in the direction toward Patras.
• On the A1 motorway (Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzones), from the Agios Stefanos (Kryoneri) interchange (27+960 km) to the Raches Fthiotida interchange (242+479 km), and from the Makrychori toll station (374+291 km) to the Leptokarya interchange (410+359 km), in the direction toward Thessaloniki.
• On the Thessaloniki–Nea Moudania National Road, from the Thermi bridge to the Nea Moudania interchange (61.5 km), in the direction toward Halkidiki.
• On the A11 motorway (Schimatari–Chalkida), from its junction with the A1 motorway (65+820 km) to the high bridge of Chalkida (12+300 km), in the direction toward Chalkida.
• On the Thessaloniki–Kavala National Road, from the 11th km (11+340 km) to the Leon Amphipolis junction (97+550 km), in the direction toward Kavala.
• On the A5 motorway (Ionian Road), from the Rio–Antirrio “Charilaos Trikoupis” Bridge (Rio area 1+558.47 km) to the end of the Ionian Road (200+991 km), in the direction toward Ioannina.
• On the A7 motorway (Central Peloponnese), from the Corinth interchange (85+300 km) to the Sparta roundabout interchange (240+800 km) (Kalamata bypass), in the direction toward Kalamata.
• On the A71 motorway (Lefktro–Sparta), from the Lefktro interchange (0+000 km) to the Sparta interchange (45+000 km), in the direction toward Sparta.
• On the Antirrio–Arta–Ioannina National Road, in the direction toward Ioannina.
• On the Thessaloniki–Polygyros National Road (EO16), from the Thermi bridge to the borders of the Thessaloniki regional unit (Agia Anastasia junction), in the direction toward Polygyros.
• On the A3 motorway (Central Greece), from its junctions with the A1 motorway (PATHE motorway) to the Kalambaka interchange (136+292 km), in the direction toward Kalambaka.
• On the A52 motorway connecting Aktio with the North–South road axis (Amvrakia Road), from 0+001 km (Aktio) to 48+940 km, connecting with the Ionian Road/Amvrakia interchange, in the direction toward Aktio.

Monday, June 1, 2026, from 16:00 to 23:00:

• On the A8 motorway (Athens–Patras), from the Rio toll station (199+660 km) to the Elefsina toll station (26+500 km), in the direction toward Athens.
• On the A1 motorway (Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzones), in the direction toward Athens, from the Leptokarya interchange (410+359 km) to the Makrychori toll station (374+291 km), and from the Raches Fthiotida interchange (242+479 km) to the Agios Stefanos (Kryoneri) interchange (27+960 km).
• On the Nea Moudania–Thessaloniki National Road, from the Nea Moudania interchange (61.5 km) to the Thermi overpass, in the direction toward Thessaloniki.
• On the A11 motorway (Schimatari–Chalkida), from the high bridge of Chalkida (12+300 km) to its junction with the A1 motorway (65+820 km), in the direction toward Athens.
• On the Kavala–Thessaloniki National Road, from the Leon Amphipolis junction (97+550 km) to the 11th km (11+340 km), in the direction toward Thessaloniki.
• On the A5 motorway (Ionian Road), from the end of the Ionian Road (200+991 km) to the Rio–Antirrio “Charilaos Trikoupis” Bridge (Rio area 1+558.47 km), in the direction toward Rio.
• On the A7 motorway (Central Peloponnese), from the Sparta roundabout interchange (240+800 km) (Kalamata bypass) to the Corinth interchange (85+300 km), in the direction toward Athens.
• On the A71 motorway (Lefktro–Sparta), from the Sparta interchange (45+000 km) to the Lefktro interchange (0+000 km), in the direction toward Lefktro.
• On the Antirrio–Arta–Ioannina National Road, in the direction toward Antirrio.
• On the Thessaloniki–Polygyros National Road (EO16), from the borders of the Thessaloniki regional unit (Agia Anastasia junction) to the Thermi bridge, in the direction toward Thessaloniki.
• On the A3 motorway (Central Greece), from the Kalambaka interchange (136+292 km) to its junctions with the A1 motorway (PATHE motorway), in the direction toward Lamia–Athens.
• On the A52 motorway: road connection from Aktio to the North–South road axis (Amvrakia Road), from 0+001 km (Aktio) to 48+940 km, connecting with the Ionian Road/Amvrakia interchange, in the direction toward the Ionian Road (Amvrakia interchange).

Exemptions from the traffic ban:

• Road assistance vehicles, according to Law 3651/2008.
• ELTA (Hellenic Post) trucks.
• Newspaper distribution trucks.
• Public-use and private-use trucks transporting live animals and perishable foods as defined in the international ATP agreement, provided the cargo constitutes at least 10% of the vehicle’s payload.
• Crane vehicles providing roadside assistance under Law 3651/2008 and carrying only the necessary equipment for that purpose, accompanied by appropriate emergency documentation.
• Water tankers operating for the purpose of combating forest fires.
• Refrigerated trucks carrying fresh fruit and vegetable products.
• Trucks transporting animal by-products for disposal, in accordance with EU Regulation 1069/2009, provided they hold the appropriate veterinary permits and documents.
• Trucks belonging to public utility organizations (DEDDIE, ADMIE, OTE, Natural Gas, etc.) operating to repair emergency network failures, accompanied by written authorization.
• Fuel tankers supplying firefighting vehicles, when documented appropriately.
• Trucks transporting equipment for music and theater performances, as well as equipment for television and film productions.
• Trucks transporting oxygen for medical purposes.
• Public works machinery of road maintenance services and trucks handling emergency incidents upon request from Civil Protection authorities.
• Trucks transporting election materials, provided this is documented.
• Emergency vehicles.
• Trucks and machinery belonging to motorway concession companies and their subcontractors carrying out assigned works.
• Trucks belonging to the organization “The Smile of the Child.”
• Trucks transporting racing cars and service trucks used for repair and maintenance support of racing cars.
• Trucks transporting military equipment.
• Trucks transporting materials under the authority of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission.