New Road Traffic Code: Voted in Parliament by a Large Majority – Everything that changes
The new penalty system focuses on systematic delinquency, providing for stricter sanctions for repeat dangerous behaviors
The New Road Traffic Code was voted in favor by the Parliament with a broad majority. On Tuesday, June 10, the Hellenic Parliament approved the new Road Traffic Code (RTC), bringing significant changes to road behavior and public safety. The main objective of the new legislative framework is to substantially reduce traffic accidents in the country, while for the first time a coherent and graduated system of penalties is introduced, which focuses on systematic delinquency, providing for stricter sanctions for recurrence of dangerous behaviors.
The new Road Traffic Code is expected to come into force 3 months after its publication in the Government Gazette (FEK-ΦΕΚ). This means that we expect it to be in full force from the fall of 2025.
All the changes in detail:
| Violation | Previous penalty | New penalty | 1st relapse | 2st relapse |
| Use of mobile phone (without causing an accident) | License and plates suspension for 60 days | Fine of €350, license suspension for 30 days | Fine of €1,000 and suspension of license for 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 1 year |
| Use of mobile phone (causing an accident) | License and plates suspension for 60 days – without criminal penalty | Fine of €350, suspension of license for 30 days (Criminal charges – potential lifting of communication privacy rights) | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 4 years. (Criminal charges) | Fine of €4,000, suspension of license for 8 years. (Criminal charges) |
| Non-use of a protective helmet | License and plates suspension for 60 days, for passenger 50€ | Fine of 350€, license suspension for 30 days, If passenger 350 € for both. | Fine of €1,000 and suspension of license for 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for up to 1 year |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | License and plates suspension for 60 days, for passenger 50€ | Driver’s fine 350€, license suspension for 30 days, If passenger 150€ for both | Fine of €1,000 and suspension of license for 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for up to 1 year |
| Driving without a license | Imprisonment from 1 to 12 months, a fine of 100 €, and suspension of license for 30 days. | Imprisonment of up to 2 years, a fine of €1,000, suspension of license for 1 year. | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for up to 4 years | Fine of €4,000, suspension of license for up to 8 years |
| Driving without a license (in case of an accident) | Imprisonment from 1 to 12 months, a fine of 100 €, and suspension of license for 30 days. | Imprisonment of up to 2 years, a fine of 1,000 €, suspension of license for 1year, criminal prosecution for dangerous driving. | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for up to 4 years | Fine of €4,000, suspension of license for up to 8 years |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol (0.50-1.10g/l) | Fine of 200 – 700€, suspension of license for up to 90 days | Fine 350-700€, license suspension 30-90 days mandatory vehicle custody | Fine of €1,000 and suspension of license for 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 1 year |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol (1.10+g/l) | Fine of €1,200, suspension of license for 180 days, imprisonment penalty of more than 2 months. | Fine of 1,200€, suspension of license for 180 days, imprisonment for 2 months – 5 years, removal of vehicle registration details. | Fine of 2,000€ and suspension of license for 7 years | Fine of 4,000€ and suspension of license for 10 years |
| Exceeding the speed limit (>50km/h) | Fine of 20-175€, suspension of license for up to 60 days | Fine of €700, license suspension for 60 days | Fine of €1,000, suspension of license for up to 180 days | Fine of €2,000 and suspension of license for 1 year |
| Racing or >200km/h | Fine of €700, suspension of license & plates for 30 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 1 year | Fine of €4,000, suspension of license for 2 years | 8,000€ fine, suspension of license for 4 years. |
| Traffic light violation | Fine of 700€, 60 days license suspension, 20 days plates removal | Fine of €700, license suspension for 60 days | Fine of €1,000, suspension of license for up to 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 1 year |
| STOP violation (without accident) | Fine of 700€, 20 days license suspension, 20 days plates removal | Fine of €350, license suspension for 30 days | Fine of €1,000 and suspension of license for up to 180 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 1 year |
| STOP violation (with accident) | Fine of 700€, 20 days license suspension, 20 days plates removal | Fine of €700, suspension of license for 60 days | Fine of €2,000, suspension of license for 4 years | Fine of €4,000, suspension of license for 8 years |
| Parking in a disabled person’s spot | License and plates suspension for 60 days | License and plates suspension for 60 days, fine of €150, immediate removal of the vehicle. | Fine of 1,000€ and suspension of license for 180 days | Fine of 2,000€ and suspension of license for 1 year |