The Greek government has submitted a sweeping revision of the Road Traffic Code (KOK) to Parliament, aiming to address the country’s persistently high rate of road deaths.
The new legislation, submitted on Saturday, May 31, introduces a series of tougher penalties and digital enforcement measures meant to curb dangerous driving behavior.
The most fundamental change brought about by the new KOK is the introduction of the concept of recidivism. For the first time, penalties for frequent or repeated violations will not be offset. They will punished cumulatively. The logic is simple: a driver who commits a violation through negligence cannot be treated the same as someone who insists on violating the law systematically, endangering the lives of drivers and pedestrians with a traffic culture and education.
The new penalty framework is based on -tier punishment for traffic code violations. “Strictness is not punishment, but a tool for prevention,” the Transportation ministry stressed.
Each violation is recorded, and if repeated, the penalty increases significantly — not only financially, but also administratively: from license revocation to criminal prosecution, depending on the severity and consequences.
According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), 665 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2024, while Greece remains among the European Union countries with the highest rates of road fatalities. Data from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) ranks Greece seventh across the bloc for traffic-related deaths.
See also: Deadly traffic accidents in Greece reach alarming rate (KTG March 2025)
Below are the most important revisions of the new Traffic Code:
Digital Enforcement & Smart Penalties
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of automated digital enforcement, starting in September 2025. As Alternate Transport Minister Kostas Kyranakis announced, traffic violations captured by surveillance cameras in Attica will be issued and delivered electronically via gov.gr, the government’s official digital portal.
Drivers found in violation will receive their fines by mail, and depending on the offense, may be required to surrender their license, vehicle registration, or license plates.
Hefty Fines for Mobile Phone Use
The revised code cracks down on mobile phone use while driving with a three-tier penalty system:
First offense: €350 fine and 30-day license suspension
Second offense: €1,000 fine and 180-day suspension
Third offense: €2,000 fine and 1-year suspension
The escalating fines underscore the government’s intention to deter distracted driving, a major cause of accidents in urban areas.
Helmet Use: Riders and Passengers Alike
For the first time, motorcycle passengers not wearing helmets will also face penalties. Previously, only drivers were held responsible. Under the new code, both the rider and any non-compliant passenger will be fined, reinforcing helmet use across all two-wheeled transport.
Speed Limit Revisions: Slower in Cities, Faster on Highways
The updated Road Code introduces differentiated speed limits aimed at improving safety in urban zones while allowing higher speeds on highways:
30 km/h in narrow residential streets or near schools
50 km/h on primary city roads with central dividers
140 km/h on highways, a proposed increase, pending review, following a reported decline in highway fatalities
Heavy Penalties for Fatal Incidents Under the Influence
In cases involving fatal accidents, the revised law ties traffic violations more closely with the criminal code. Drivers found responsible for causing a death while under the influence of alcohol or driving at excessive speeds could now face up to 10 years in prison without parole.
Street Racing Crackdown
It is no exaggeration to say that excessive speeding remains the most widespread “routine illegality” on Greek roads. In 2024, over 338,000 violations were recorded, a number that reflects the extent of the problem but also the inability to prevent it with the tools available to date.
The new code also addresses illegal street racing, a growing problem particularly in parts of Athens and other urban centers. The fines escalate dramatically for repeat offenders:
- First offense: €2,000 fine and 1-year license suspension
- Second offense: €4,000 and 2-year suspension
- Third offense: €8,000 fine and 4-year suspension
Priority of Public Transport Means
One of the less prominent – but crucial – points of the new KOK are the regulations concerning the smooth circulation of public transport, mainly within the densely populated urban areas of Athens and Thessaloniki.
The new KOK sets a clear limit: bus lanes are no longer an “easy solution” for illegal overtaking and parking.
The new Code tightens the fines for any vehicle that violates these infrastructures, with an emphasis on the reliability of buses and the functionality of the network.
At the same time, an explicit ban is established on the circulation of even free taxis within these lanes, with unique exceptions for disembarking passengers, night operation and special type vehicles (disabled or zero-emission).
Parking in a ramp for disabled
You’re not just antisocial – you’re dangerous
Illegal parking has become the ultimate urban mobility nightmare. Every year, over 1 million calls are made, with 30-35% of them involving disabled spaces, crossings and corners.
It’s not just a matter of legality – it’s a matter of dignity.
The new KOK foresees very heavy penalties: a fine of up to 2,000 euros and a license suspension for one year, in case of a repeat offense. The message is clear: accessibility is non-negotiable.
When you park on a ramp, you’re not just breaking the law. You’re impeding someone else’s life.
It should be noted that again and again there posts on social media by people with disabilities who complain of blocked access and that they called the police that came even an hour later, if at all.
The new Traffic Code is expected to go into effect as of September 2025.
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I really hope they start cracking down on motorcycle drivers. The way some of them drive through traffic is very dangerous.
Sadly there’s no mention of electric scooters. Whilst they are more environmentally friendly they can be extremely dangerous for riders and for pedestrians. They’re often ridden much too fast on busy roads by young people without helmets. They are motorised vehicles so why aren’t they treated the same as mopeds?
I understood there’ll be a separate law for e-scooters.
I hope you’re right!
If the mobile phone rules are enforced on Naxos, within a week there would be no buses , trucks or taxis operating .
Best of luck enforcing the excellent new rules.
Good luck with the “new” rules! First of all the police has to be present out there! 2nd: tell the police not to stop drivers who following the rules!! 3rd: nothing will change as always!!!
Why wait until September to enforce these laws? There are so many issues with drivers here and their total disregard for others. Police do not enforce the current laws so what will be different? Unrestrained children in cars, parking wherever they want, use of mobile phones plus many more infringements that are totally ignored by drivers and the police. Imagine ho much revenue would be collected if fines were imposed now!!! Ridiculous to think anything will change.