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/
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: