To Greece by car

To enter Greece by car you need:

• International passport (biometric or visa).
• Technical passport of the car.
• Ukrainian driver's license (plastic).
• Green card - mandatory for entry, without it you will not be allowed to enter the country.
• A notarized power of attorney if the car is registered to another person.
• Health insurance covering treatment abroad is an important document for traveling to another country. It can be issued on our website in a few minutes.

💡 We recommend printing all documents, even if you have electronic copies. Greek border guards often ask for a paper version.

You can use your car in Greece without customs clearance for up to 6 months during the year. After that, it must be either exported or customs cleared and registered.

Rules:

• The car must remain with Ukrainian registration.
• It cannot be transferred to third parties or used for commercial transportation.
• If the deadline is violated, fines and sometimes even confiscation are imposed.

💡 If you plan to stay longer, we advise you to consult with our lawyers about the customs clearance procedure.

Greece recognizes a newly issued Ukrainian driver's license without the need for translation or exchange for tourist travel.

‼️ If you plan to stay for more than 185 days (for example, when obtaining a residence permit), you need to exchange your license for a Greek one.

For car rental:

• Some companies additionally ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• If you have an IDP, it is better to bring it with you, as it will facilitate the procedure.

A Green Card is not just a formality. It guarantees that in the event of an accident, you will not have to pay for damages out of your own pocket.

1. It covers damage caused to other road users.

2. You will not be allowed to cross the border of Bulgaria and Greece without it.

✅ You can apply for a Green Card online on our Visit Ukraine website - in a few minutes, without leaving your home.

Greek highways are among the best in Europe. You can get from Athens to Thessaloniki or the Peloponnese quickly and comfortably.

Speed limits:

• In cities - 50 km/h.
• On country roads - 90 km/h.
• Highways - 130 km/h.

Special features:

• Greeks often ignore the speed limit, but the cameras fine clearly.
• There are many narrow roads on the islands and in mountainous regions - you need to drive there especially carefully.
• On highways, be sure to keep in the right lane if you are not overtaking.

Alcohol:

• The permissible level is 0.5 ppm.
• For drivers with less than 2 years of experience - 0.2 ppm.

Toll roads

In Greece, most of the highways are tolled. The price depends on the distance and region:

• Average cost: 2-3 € per 100 km.
• Some sections of Athens - Patras can cost up to 10 €.

Payment:

• Cash or card at the toll booths.
• You can use the electronic e-Pass, but it is rarely convenient for tourists.

💡 Collect small bills and coins - sometimes the terminals may not work.

Parking

There are “blue” zones in the city centers (Athens, Thessaloniki):

• Payment: from 1 to 4 € per hour.
• Time limits: 2 to 4 hours.
• Payment through parking meters or the ParkAround app.

The penalty for improper parking is from 40 €, and on tourist islands, cars can be evacuated.

💡 It is most convenient to leave cars in paid multi-level parking lots - it is more expensive, but safer.

Car accident: algorithm of actions

What to do:

1. Stay put, turn on the hazard lights, put up a sign.

2. Call the police by dialing 100 - even if there are no injuries.

3. Notify your insurance company (Green Card).

4. Take a photo of the accident scene, damage and license plates.

5. Ask the police for a copy of the report (or case number).

‼️ Do not sign documents you do not understand. If in doubt, contact a Visit Ukraine lawyer.

Greece is one of the best countries to rent a car, especially if you plan to visit the islands.

Conditions

• Minimum age: 21 years old (often 23 or even 25 for expensive categories).
• Driving experience: from 1 year.
• Documents: passport, driver's license, credit card.

Cost

• Economy: from 25-30 €/day (off-season).
• SUV: from 50-70 €/day.
• During the season (July - August), prices can increase by 50%.

Insurance

• Basic coverage (CDW) has a deductible (usually 500-1,000 €).
• We recommend taking Super CDW or full coverage to avoid high costs in case of damage.

Life hacks

• Always take photos of the car when you receive it and return it.
• Check the fuel policy (full - full, full - empty).
• Book in advance online - it's cheaper, especially during the season.

• Foreign passport (plastic).
• Driver's license (plastic).
• Technical passport of the car.
• Green card (to be issued on our website).
• Notarized power of attorney (if the car is not yours).
• Medical insurance (to be arranged with us).
• A first aid kit, a vest, an emergency stop sign.
• Cash and small coins.
• Downloaded offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me).
• Photo of the car before departure.

How Visit Ukraine can help

• Green card - mandatory for entry, we issue online quickly and without queues.
• Health insurance - a wide range of policies for traveling to Greece, including coverage for traveling to the islands and outdoor activities.
• Bus and plane tickets - easy to find and book on our website to plan your itinerary without stress.
• Legal advice - help with all questions related to travel, documents, and rules of staying abroad.
• 24/7 support - we are always in touch, ready to help in any situation.

✉️ Do you have any questions?

Write to us in the chat on the website, WhatsApp or Telegram - we will tell you everything: from choosing a route to paperwork and insurance.