Parking in Greece

Rules and regulations regarding parking in Greece...

  • Illegally parked cars may be towed away or their licence plates may be removed
  • Parking is not allowed within 3 metres of a fire hydrant, 5 metres of an intersection, or 15 metres of a bus stop
  • Vehicles must not park on roads where a market is to be held/being held
  • Flashing hazard lights indicates an intent to park
Parking fines are issued by the municipal police (Δημοτική Αστυνομία/Dimotiki Astynomia) or by the traffic police (τροχαία/Trochaia), and are placed on the vehicle's windscreen. Fines can be paid in cash at the Post Office. If a parking fine is issued by a local municipality, the fine should be paid at the local town hall (Δημαρχείο). Removed licence plates must be picked up from the local police station where the traffic offence occurred. This must be done after a set number of days, depending on the nature of the offence. Driving without number plates is a serious offence that incurs high fines. If plates are removed, the owner may only drive the car home or to a parking space. Fines can be paid at the local Post Office. Parking fines are reduced to half the amount if paid within 10 days. Impounded vehicles are kept in a police garage.

Parking in Athens

The city of Athens has a specific parking system in place. Spaces marked in blue are for resident permit-holders, spaces marked in blue are for short-term visitors and spaces marked in yellow are for commercial use only. Short-term visitors can use the blue spaces from 09:00-21:00 on weekdays, and from 09:00-1600 on weekends. Parking tickets are necessary for the use of blue short-stay spaces, and can be bought at newsagents, tobacconists and other small shops. Tickets are valid for up to three hours, and any fines incurred will be halved if paid within ten days. Holders of an EU Disabled Parking Permit are free to park in any space.