Thousands of drivers believe they are doing the right thing when they plug in their earphones, connect them to their mobile phone and set off. They think that because they are using handsfree, they are complying with the law. Under Greece’s new Highway Code, introduced through Law 5209/2025, that assumption can now prove costly.

The point many drivers misunderstand concerns wired handsfree devices. Earphones connected to a mobile phone by cable are no longer treated as a straightforward legal solution while driving. The reason is practical: to use them, the driver usually has to touch the device, connect the cable, unlock the phone or handle the screen. Any such action can amount to illegal mobile phone use while driving.

The law does not simply ask whether the driver was holding the phone during the call. The key issue is whether the phone was handled at all. If the device was not placed in a fixed holder and the driver had to pick it up, even briefly, the driver risks being fined.

What is allowed and what is forbidden

Allowed

• Wireless Bluetooth handsfree devices, provided the driver does not handle the phone.
• Speakerphone use, as long as the mobile phone is placed in a fixed holder.
• Voice commands for calls or navigation, without touching the device.

Banned

• Holding a mobile phone while driving.
• Writing messages or scrolling online.
• Using wired handsfree earphones if this involves handling the phone.
• Using the phone at a red light or in heavy traffic, while the driver remains in control of the vehicle.

The fines

The penalties under the new Highway Code are far stricter than before. A first offence carries a fine of €350 and the removal of the driving licence for 30 days. Repeat offences can bring much heavier penalties, including higher fines and longer licence suspensions. In more serious cases, the authorities may also remove number plates, while a crash linked to mobile phone use can lead to criminal consequences.

The safest legal option

In practice, the safest solution is a wireless Bluetooth device used together with a mobile phone fixed in a proper holder. This allows the phone to connect automatically, calls to be answered without touching the device, and voice commands to be used for calls or navigation.

Wired earphones may still feel like handsfree use to many drivers, but under the new rules they can leave drivers exposed to penalties. The new Highway Code leaves little room for old habits: the driver must not handle the phone or allow it to distract them while driving. For anyone who still thinks a cable is enough, the €350 fine may be the lesson that changes their mind.