Documents, fines and tips for traveling in Greece by car

READ MORE ABOUT OUR TOUR FROM THE IONIAN ISLANDS – CORFU, LEFKADA, KEFALONIA, ZAKINTOS AND METEORA – SEE HERE.

For Bulgarians, Greece has turned into a favorite tourist destination. More and more of our compatriots prefer the neighboring country because of the longer summer season, the beaches, the cuisine, the short distance, and above all because of the affordable prices in mainstream resorts.

DOCUMENTS FOR ENTERING GREECE BY CAR

1. Bring the large vehicle registration certificate. In Greece, as well as in Hungary, they insist on being provided with the so-called "Part I of the registration certificate" (the same problem arose in Hungary), which applies mostly to drivers of heavy goods vehicles. So if you are heading out on vacation, do not worry. The reason – the directive for end-to-end checks, which requires knowing the technically permissible mass of the vehicle, axle loads, and vehicle mass to make the check realistic. Because of the problem, the Bulgarian Road Police modified the small registration certificate, and now it includes almost all technical parameters of the car. Citizens who have obtained the new-format certificate can safely travel with it towards the neighboring country. Those driving with the small certificate of the old format are advised to bring the large certificate with them just in case. This applies especially to truck drivers. In the summer of 2014, a Bulgarian minibus driver received a fine of nearly 10,000 euros for not having the large certificate.
2. To enter Greece, only one of the two is required – a valid ID card or international passport. For children who do not yet have an ID card, it is necessary to obtain a foreign passport. Be sure to provide a power of attorney from the second parent of the child in case the children are not accompanied simultaneously by both parents! (this is checked when leaving the Bulgarian border)
3. It is mandatory to possess a Green Card and a valid car insurance policy. It is most advisable to contact your current insurer, who can issue you a Green Card for free or with a minimal additional payment.
4. If you are traveling in a leased car, make sure to bring along a power of attorney to drive it outside of Bulgaria, translated and certified by a licensed agency into Greek.

USEFUL INFORMATION AND TIPS:

1. When traveling to this country, it is recommended that Bulgarian citizens take out medical insurance.
2. In Greece, turning on headlights during the day is not mandatory.
3. In Greece, winter tires are not mandatory.
4. The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h, in populated areas – 50 km/h, outside populated areas – 90 km/h, and on expressways – 110 km/h. It is strictly forbidden to transport fuel in canisters, because the country has introduced specific requirements for its storage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies.
5. In Greece, carrying firearms and cold weapons is prohibited, including transporting them in a car. This rule also includes knives for ordinary use with a longer blade. In the event of a crash, it is mandatory to call the road police. In lighter traffic accidents, the police may not draw up a report, but ask the two parties to exchange their insurance details.
6. Exchange enough currency - euros in cash! Do not rely solely on your credit card. Some gas stations do not accept credit card payments, and in supermarkets where they do, there might be an extra charge.
7. It is recommended to top up your car's fuel tank right before the Greek border. Fuel is more expensive in Greece.
8. In the evening, do not turn on fog lights and other auxiliary lights – use only the main ones (low or high beams) – they can cause you trouble.
9. If you are transporting newly purchased industrial goods, make sure to bring a receipt or invoice proving their purchase, so you don't have to deal with customs officers at the border.
10. In Greece, there is NO U-turn! The solution is to turn right first and then make three consecutive left turns to return in the opposite direction without violating the rules.
11. The road signs are large and clear, written in Greek and English. On highways, where you are expected to move fast, you will first see the sign only in Greek, but do not panic – an English road sign follows immediately.
12. Most intercity roads are wide, with a single carriageway and an emergency lane in each direction, while highways have two carriageways and emergency lanes in both directions of travel. If someone signals behind you and wants to overtake you, an unwritten rule is to pull slightly to the right, entering partially into the emergency lane.
13. Under no circumstances should you attempt to bribe the police – you will be arrested and your car will be impounded for six months!

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FINES IN GREECE:

1. A 2,000 euro fine for using a radar detector. Since the roads in our southern neighbor are very well built and maintained, which in turn encourages high speeds, you should know, however, that Greeks do not like us, the Bulgarians, and local traffic police are strict and rigorous. And if anyone decides to use a radar detector to notify them and interfere with roadside speed detection equipment, they should know they are risking a lot. Besides the monetary penalty of 2,000 euros, the penalty includes license revocation for 30 days and confiscation of license plates for two months, which automatically means you are left without a car.
   
2. The fine for a dangerous maneuver is a 700 euro fine + 30 days without a license and taking the car out of service for 10 days.
3. The fine for running a red light is again a 700 euro fine, removal of the car plates for 60 days, and revocation of the driver's license for 20 days.
4. The fine for ignoring railway crossing signals or illegal overtaking is again 700 euros and 20 days without a license.
5. For exceeding the maximum speed limit by 30 km/h or for driving on the highway at over 150 km/h – the fine is 350 euros and 90 days without a license.
6. Alcohol consumption from 0.25 mg/l to 0.40 mg/l will cost you 200 euros, and from 0.40 mg/l to 0.60 mg/l – 700 euros and 90 days of disqualification from driving. For over 1.1 permille, the penalty is 1200 euros, six months without a license, and possibly two months in jail. In Greece, as in the rest of the EU countries, a lower alcohol concentration has been introduced for new drivers and professional drivers – 0.2 permille, compared to Bulgaria, which is the only country in the Union that still has no such distinction between "young" and "old" drivers.
7. You can lose your driver's license even for talking on the phone while driving.
8. Penalties are imposed administratively, not judicially, and take effect immediately, so you had better follow all road rules and laws.
9. When paying the fine within a 10-day period, the fine amount is automatically reduced by 50% from what is indicated on the receipt. Money is paid at the municipality or at the post office.
10. Внимавайте при неправилно паркиране в градовете и фериботни пристанища. На много места в Гърция паркирането е разрешено само от едната страна на улицата. Това се обозначава със знак ” Паркирането забранено І или ІІ”, като І означава, че паркирането е забранено само в нечетни месеци, а ІІ – само в четни. При неправилно паркиране, органите на реда прибират регистрационните табели и налагат глоба от 200 евро.

Some of our disjointed notes regarding beaches, ferries, daily budget, sea urchins, traveling with a dog, accommodations, and roads in Greece – See HERE.

We hope we have clarified the main questions that would immediately arise in your mind as soon as you decide to travel to Greece with your own transport.

Source: Uab.org

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