foreign plates vehicles circulation
foreign plates vehicles circulation in Greece, what applies? and what are the hefty fines?
Foreign plates vehicles circulation in Greece is allowed, provided certain conditions are met. Otherwise, the penalties imposed by the authorities are severe.
It’s not uncommon to see vehicles with foreign plates vehicles circulation on our roads, which do not belong to tourists visiting Greece for holidays. In both cases, the circulation of these vehicles by their owners, and not only, is temporary and subject to specific conditions and time limits.
Who is allowed to drive a vehicle with foreign plates?
According to the current legislation, individuals entitled to import and use a car with foreign plates in Greece must meet the following basic conditions:
– The individual’s usual residence – with a minimum stay of 185 days a year – must be outside Greece. This category includes tourists visiting the country with their personal vehicle.
– The individual’s presence in Greece must be temporary.
– The vehicle brought into the country can only be used for private purposes.
Additionally, the permitted stay and use of the vehicle in Greece is set at six months, continuous or not, within a twelve-month period. In exceptional cases, customs authorities may, at their discretion, grant an extension of up to 15 days.
What happens after the six months?
If a passenger vehicle with foreign plates, temporarily imported by individuals with usual residence abroad who are not working in Greece, does not leave the country after six months, it must be immobilized by the relevant customs authority following the owner’s request. The immobilization must last at least six months and a maximum of 24 months.
To resume driving the immobilized vehicle, the owner must prove that they had their usual residence abroad for at least 185 days after the vehicle’s immobilization. If 24 months pass without reactivation, the vehicle is declared unclaimed. However, if the vehicle is reactivated before 24 months and allowed to circulate, the owner may drive it again for six months, provided they pay road taxes for this entire period.
Who can drive vehicles with foreign plates?
Individuals with usual residence in Greece who work abroad for at least six months in a twelve-month period can also drive vehicles with foreign plates. This applies to:
– Greek citizens residing in Greece but working abroad for at least six months annually.
– Individuals whose spouses have moved to Greece, provided they continue to reside abroad.
– Foreign nationals married to Greek citizens permanently residing in Greece, provided they continue to reside abroad.
Temporary importation and use of such vehicles are granted for six months, continuous or not, in a twelve-month period, without road tax, provided they hold valid registration and are for private use. In exceptional cases, customs authorities may extend the use for 15 days.
Greek students studying abroad at higher education institutions may use vehicles with foreign plates for a period equal to their studies. Greek students whose usual residence is in Greece but spend most of the year abroad for studies can use the vehicle for three months per year.
For Greek nationals residing abroad and visiting Greece for training or specialization at higher educational institutions, the period they can use their vehicle is four months from the start of their training or specialization.
Foreign nationals who come to Greece for temporary work and have usual residence abroad can use their vehicle for the duration of their employment contract.
Greek diplomatic, consular, and other Foreign Ministry employees returning to Greece temporarily are allowed to use the vehicle they brought into the country for up to five years. This five-year period is extended for the duration of their stay in Greece for official duties, provided their stay at the Central Service is due to service needs and not a personal request.
Individuals relocating to Greece may use their vehicle for one month, for customs clearance purposes, provided this period does not exceed the deadline for customs clearance.
Repatriated Greeks and political refugees have the right to use their vehicle for six months.
What applies to vehicles owned by foreign companies?
Individuals with usual residence in Greece but working in another EU member state and using a vehicle registered in that state in the name of a company based there are not subject to a time limit for vehicle use, provided the employment contract includes a vehicle as an additional benefit and the vehicle is used primarily outside Greece. The non-professional use of the company vehicle must be secondary to professional use and explicitly stated in the employment contract, with the vehicle insured in Greece.
Vehicles eligible for temporary use
According to current legislation, vehicles eligible for temporary use in Greece with foreign plates include passenger cars with up to nine seats, including the driver, or motorhomes with trailers. Motorcycles, mopeds, private recreational boats, private planes, and even riding horses are also permitted.
What is required to bring a car with foreign plates?
To temporarily bring a passenger car into the country, it must bear official license plates (either regular or temporary) from the country where the registration was issued. The vehicle must also be accompanied by a registration document issued by the country where it is registered and be insured.
If, upon entry, the vehicle’s temporary registration has expired, it cannot be admitted under the temporary importation regime.
How can I use a vehicle with foreign plates?
Vehicles with foreign plates in Greece cannot be transferred, rented, used as collateral, or lent, nor can they be used as transport by third parties for any reason.
Heavy fines for violations
If the vehicle does not leave the country within the permitted time frame, the owner must pay a fine based on engine displacement, increasing daily. Specifically:
– €5 up to 900 cc
– €6 for 901-1,200 cc
– €7.50 for 1,201-1,600 cc
– €10 for 1,601-1,800 cc
– €12.50 for 1,801-2,000 cc
– €15 for 2,001-2,500 cc
– €20 for 2,501-3,000 cc
– €22.50 for 3,001-4,000 cc
– €25 for 4,001 cc and above
For motorcycles, regardless of displacement, the fine is €5 per day. Vehicles with expired temporary registration incur a €300 fine.
For vehicles timely placed under customs immobilization and past the deadline for re-export, no fines are owed. However, if the re-export deadline expires, the vehicle is declared unclaimed and becomes state property.
In case of transfer or rental of a vehicle under temporary importation, a fine of €900 is imposed.
Driving a vehicle under temporary importation by a non-entitled person incurs a fine of €700 if the entitled person was in the country at the time of the violation. Otherwise, a one-time fine is imposed based on the vehicle’s engine displacement:
– €2,500 up to 1,400 cc
– €3,000 for 1,401-1,600 cc
– €5,000 for 1,601-2,000 cc
– €8,000 for 2,001-3,000 cc
– €10,000 for 3,001 cc and above
For motorcycles:
– €300 up to 500 cc
– €400 for 501-750 cc
– €700 for 751-1,000 cc
– €1,000 for 1,001 cc and above
For non-EU vehicles, driving by a non-entitled person incurs a fine of €733 if the entitled person was in the country at the time of the violation; otherwise, the fine doubles to €1,466.
Who else can drive vehicles with foreign plates besides the primary driver?
Vehicles with foreign plates can be driven by others with customs approval, provided they have the same right to temporary import and use as the entitled person. Customs approval is not required when the driver is the spouse, child, or parent of the entitled person, provided they also have the same right.
If you are facing issues related to the use or circulation of a vehicle with foreign license plates in Greece, do not hesitate to contact the law office Economou & Economou. Call us at +30 2103603824, email us at econlaw@live.com, or fill out the contact form here: https://www.econlaw.gr/contact/. Economou & Economou law office has extensive experience and deep knowledge of the legal framework governing customs and tax issues related to the circulation of vehicles with foreign license plates in our country. Our experienced lawyers have successfully handled numerous cases, whether related to illegal vehicle circulation or violations resulting in fines.
Specifically, Economou & Economou law office is equipped to review the legal basis of any fine imposed on you and to develop defense strategies aimed at the cancellation or reduction of such fines. Due to our specialization in customs and tax law, we can provide optimal legal guidance and ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Regardless of the complexity of your case, the lawyers at Economou & Economou are the most suitable to represent you. If you need advice or legal support on any issue related to the circulation of a vehicle with foreign license plates in Greece, whether due to regulation violations, accidents, or disputed fines, Economou & Economou can help you protect your rights and secure the best possible solution.
The experienced lawyers of Economou & Economou Law office in Athens are the ones who can help resolve your problem related to the illegal circulation of a vehicle with foreign license plates in Greece. Trust the best lawyers in Greece for customs and tax law issues, as well as for violations concerning the circulation of vehicles with foreign license plates. Our lawyers specialize in such cases and can assist you in canceling any fines you may be facing.
If you face problems with foreign plates vehicle circulation in Greece contact the best duty and tax residence lawyers in Greece of Economou & Economou law office in Athens. call us at (+30) 2103603824 , send us an email at econlaw@live.com or fill the contact form here https://www.econlaw.gr/contact/