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Writer's pictureKaterina

Driving in Greece: Do You Need an International Driving License/Permit?

Updated: Jan 18


International Driving License, who needs to have one when driving in Greece
International Driving License, who needs to have one when driving in Greece

In this article, you will find a clear answer on whether you need an International Driving License / Permit (IDP) to drive a car, a moped, a scooter, a motorcycle, or an ATV in Greece legally!

Because there is a lot of misinformation regarding this matter, we will attach our sources to this article so that you can view and verify the accuracy of the information shared, as well as we did in our previous article regarding the driving license requirements to drive a scooter or a motorcycle in Greece.

If your driving license is issued in a country listed in the Vienna Convention on Road Trafic, you don't need an International Driving License to drive in Greece.


Please also note that some countries have made special agreements with Greece and even though they have not signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, their citizens (driving license holders) are also allowed to drive in Greece without an IDP needed.


Let's put it in simple words!

You don't need an International Driving License / Permit (IDP) if your driving license has been issued in one of the following countries:

Countries list with special agreement, no IDP needed

Australia https://greece.embassy.gov.au/athn/drive_permit.html


Canada https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/greece

United States of America https://gr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/driving-in-greece/


Japan https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/vehicles/acquiring-and-renewing-driving-licence/driving-license-recognition-and-validity/non-eu-driving-licenses-exchange-recognition


South Korea https://www.gov.gr/en/sdg/vehicles/acquiring-and-renewing-driving-licence/driving-license-recognition-and-validity/non-eu-driving-licenses-exchange-recognition


European Union countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden)


Countries list that have sighned the Vienna Convention, no IDP needed

Albania


Armenia


Austria


Azerbaijan


Bahamas


Bahrain


Belarus


Belgium


Bosnia and Herzegovina


Brazil


Bulgaria


Central African Republic


Chile


Costa Rica


Côte d’Ivoire


Croatia


Cuba


Czech Republic


Democratic Republic of the Congo


Denmark


Ecuador


Estonia


Finland


France


Georgia


Germany


Ghana


Greece


Guyana


Holy See


Hungary


Indonesia


Iran (Islamic Republic of)


Israel


Italy


Kazakhstan


Kuwait


Kyrgyzstan


Latvia


Liberia


Lithuania


Luxembourg


Mexico


Moldova


Monaco


Mongolia


Montenegro


Morocco


Niger


Norway


Pakistan


Peru


Philippines


Poland


Portugal


Republic of Korea


Romania


Russian Federation

San Marino


Senegal


Serbia


Seychelles


Slovakia


Slovenia


South Africa


Spain


Sweden


Switzerland


Tajikistan


Thailand


The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia


Tunisia


Turkmenistan


Ukraine


United Arab Emirates


United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


Uruguay


Uzbekistan


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)


Zimbabwe


If your national driving license does not fall within the guidelines set by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic or if it is not mentioned in the first list (SPECIAL AGREEMENT) you will require an International Driving Permit to drive in Greece legally. (If your driving license country of origin is not listed above, you must have an International Driving License/ Permit IDP. )


If you don't have an International Driving License/ Permit IDP, you can apply here online for a digital one.




Please consider that the International Driving License/ Permit (IDP) is based on your country's DL. The IDP is only valid if your current national driving license is present.

Our diligent efforts in gathering and verifying the above information aim to assist travellers in making informed decisions on the necessity of an International Driving License/ Permit IDP for driving legally in Greece. Additionally, we hope to aid companies within our industry in maintaining current terms and conditions.



Wishing you safe and pleasant travels!

Sincerely,

Katerina



Info sources:



Please view more details about the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic on the following sources:


 



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