The Essential Guide to Obtaining a Driver's License in Greece in 2026

Quick answer: If you hold a US driver's license, you can drive cars and motorcycles in Greece with it, whether you're visiting or living here, as long as it stays valid. Greek law (Article 98 of Law 5209/2025) gives the same right to Canadian, Australian and UK licenses. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn't legally required for these licenses, but it's still recommended, and insurers or rental companies may ask for one. US drivers can get an IDP online through AAA or AATA.

Converting a US license to a Greek one (which isn't usually needed) means surrendering your original US license, whichever state issued it. If you want to keep your US license for trips home, weigh that against how long you plan to stay in Greece before you decide.

Introduction to Driving in Greece

As an expat, driving in Greece can be tricky. With narrow streets, unpredictable driving customs, difficulty in finding parking space, and potholes on roads, international drivers can easily panic. You’ll drive on the right with varying speed limits, usually 50 km/h in cities and up to 130 km/h on highways. Since practice makes perfect, we've put together this guide for expats to get their driving license.

Eligibility Requirements: Can You Drive in Greece?

To drive in Greece, expats and travelers must meet specific criteria:

• Age: You must be at least 18 years old to drive a motorcycle and a car, and 16 years old to drive a moped (or light quadricycles.)
• Valid License: Possess a valid driving license from your home country.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): Required alongside your national license for most non-EU licenses. US, Canadian, Australian and UK licenses are exempt under Greek law, although an IDP is still recommended.
• EU Licenses: EU citizens can drive with their national license without needing an IDP.
• Residence Status: Once you become a resident of Greece (generally after living here for 185 days in a calendar year), most non-EU licenses stop being valid for driving. US, Canadian, Australian and UK licenses remain valid for cars and motorcycles.
• Physical Fitness: A basic health check may be required, ensuring you can safely operate a vehicle.

International Driving Permits: Do You Need One?

It depends on where your license was issued. For most non-EU licenses, you must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your national license when you drive in Greece as a visitor. US, Canadian, Australian and UK licenses are the exception: Greek law has recognized them on their own since November 2021, and the current Highway Code (Article 98 of Law 5209/2025) keeps that rule in place.

An IDP translates your license into several languages. It is not a license on its own and is only valid together with your original. An IDP:

• Helps police, rental companies and insurers read your license
• Is valid for one year from the date it is issued and cannot be renewed
• Must always be carried together with your valid home license

Should Americans Still Get an IDP?

In most cases, yes. The US State Department's Greece page still tells US visitors to carry both a US license and an IDP, and not every insurer, rental desk or police officer is familiar with the Greek rule. An IDP is cheap, and having one avoids arguments when you rent a car or arrange insurance.

How to Get an International Driving Permit (Step by Step)

An IDP can't be issued in Greece. It has to come from the country that issued your driver's license. The steps below are for US license holders. If your license is from another country, apply through the motoring authority there.

1. Choose an official issuer: Only two organizations are authorized by the US Department of State to issue IDPs: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Avoid other websites selling "international driver's licenses", as many are scams.
2. Check your license: Your US license must be valid and should remain valid for at least six months after your IDP's start date.
3. Prepare your documents: You'll need the completed application, a passport-style photo, photos or copies of the front and back of your license, and the fee. AAA currently charges $20 for the permit, plus photo and shipping fees.
4. Choose international shipping: The IDP is a printed booklet, not a digital document. If you're already in Greece, pick a courier that delivers here and allow a few weeks.
5. Share it with your insurer: Once it arrives, send a copy to your car insurance provider and always carry both your IDP and your home license when you drive.

For more background on how the IDP works, see this guide to international driver's permits for Greece.

Why Your IDP Matters for Car Insurance

Insurers and rental companies in Greece set their own document requirements, and many still ask non-EU drivers for an IDP. The US State Department warns that driving without the required documents can lead to fines of €1,000 or more, and that you could be held responsible for all costs after an accident. If your insurer asks for an IDP, get one before you sign.

Do You Need to Convert to a Greek License?

It depends on where your license was issued:

• US, Canadian, Australian and UK licenses: You can keep driving cars and motorcycles on your valid home license even after you become a resident of Greece, so conversion is optional. Converting means surrendering your original license.
• Other non-EU licenses: Once you become a resident, you can no longer rely on your home license or an IDP. You need a Greek license, either by converting your license (where your country allows it) or by taking the Greek driving test.

Your right to drive on a US license lasts only as long as the license itself is valid. Greece can't renew US licenses, and you need a valid license to convert, so if you can't renew from Greece, consider converting before your license expires.

Where conversion is possible, you don't need to retake the driving test. Conversion works in one of two ways, depending on where your license was issued:

• Standard conversion: USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea. The eligibility, documents and procedure sections below apply to these licenses.
• Separate procedures: Switzerland, Serbia, Albania, Moldova, Georgia and the UAE (car licenses only). These have different steps, so check with your regional Transport and Communications Department before you apply.

If you previously exchanged a non-EU license for an EU license, it remains valid in Greece as long as it meets Greek licensing requirements.

Passing the Driving Test

In order to take part in the theoretical and practical exams to obtain a driving license, drivers must complete a minimum number of hours of theory and practical training. This takes place at driving schools situated in Greece.

The competent Greek authority for carrying out the theoretical examination and driving test is the Transport & Communications Department of the Regional Unit of the Region (place of residence of the concerned person).

The Different Types of Driver’s Licenses in Greece

In Greece, driver's licenses are categorized by vehicle type and driver's experience:

1. AM License: For two-wheeled vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
2. A1 License: For motorcycles up to 125cc and a maximum power of 11 kW.
3. A2 License: For motorcycles up to 35 kW, accessible to drivers aged over 20.
4. A License: For all motorcycles, with no power limit, requires a minimum age of 24 or two years of experience with an A2 license.
5. B License: The standard car license for vehicles up to 3,500 kg and no more than 8 passenger seats.
6. C1, C1E, C, and CE Licenses: For larger and commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, with varying weight and size restrictions.
7. D1, D1E, D, and DE Licenses: For buses and vehicles designed to carry more passengers.
8. Special Licenses: Required for special types of vehicles like tractors and construction machinery.

Please note that if you have a valid driving license from another EU country, it remains valid in Greece, provided it meets the requirements for the equivalent Greek driving license category.

Validity Period of Driving Licenses and Renewals

Driving licenses for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, and BE are valid for 15 years from the date of passing the exams or renewal, but not beyond the age of 65. Licenses for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, and DE are valid for 5 years from the date of passing the exams or renewal, also not exceeding the age of 65. If renewed before 65, a license's validity cannot extend past the age of 68. From 65 to 80, licenses for all categories are valid for a maximum of 3 years. Renewed licenses before 80 cannot be valid beyond the age of 82. After 80, licenses for all categories are valid for up to 2 years.

Documents You Need: Preparing Your Driving License Application

When applying for a driver's license in Greece, having the right paperwork is vital. Here is the full list of documents you need in order to obtain a valid driving license:

• Passport or ID Card: Proof of identification is mandatory.
• Residence Permit: Proof of residency is required, even for EU citizens. See here.
• Medical Certificate: This is needed to demonstrate your good health and fitness to drive.
• Biometric Photos: Usually two recent passport-sized photos.
• Application Form: Properly filled out with your details.
• Tax Number (AFM): Needed to process your application within the Greek system.
• Proof of Address: A utility bill or rental agreement can serve this purpose.

Steps to Apply for a Greek Driver’s License

1. Determine Eligibility: Must be 18+ and hold a residency permit.
2. Medical Certificate: Get a certificate from a Greek doctor.
3. Theory Test: Study the Greek Highway Code and pass the test. You can also find more information from the Greek Ministry of Transport website here.
4. Driving Lessons: Enroll in a driving school for practical lessons and familiarize yourself with road signs, rules and regulations in Greece.
5. Practical Test: Pass the driving exam with a school or private vehicle.
6. Application Submission: Gather all documents, including ID photos, and submit to the transport office.
7. Fees Payment: Pay the required fees for tests and license issuance.
8. Final Steps: Wait for processing and collection of your Greek driver’s license.

Converting Your Foreign License to a Greek License

Should You Convert Your US License? One Expat's Experience

We recently spoke with an American living in Greece who holds a US driver's license. He first looked into going through a Greek driving school, but was later advised that his US license could be used in Greece without taking driving lessons. In the end, he didn't go ahead with a conversion.

The main reason: converting a US license to a Greek one requires surrendering your original license, whichever US state issued it. Since a valid US license can still be used in Greece after you become a resident, many Americans don't need to convert at all. Before deciding, think about how long you plan to stay in Greece, whether you want to keep your US license for driving back home, and whether you'll be able to renew it from abroad.

Responsible Department

The Regional Government Transport and Communications Department is responsible for converting your foreign license into a local one in your area.

In order to meet the eligibility requirements, the applicant must:

• Live in Greece
• Have a valid license from the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa, or South Korea
• Not hold another driving license from Greece or an EU member state (including Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein)
• Meet the age requirements for the license category
• Meet the physical and mental requirements for the license category

Required Documents

• Photocopy of foreign passport (if not Greek) or Greek ID card (if Greek)
• Photocopy of a valid residence permit or equivalent, issued at least 185 days (95 days for EU nationals) before application and valid until the Greek license is received.
• The valid foreign driving license (not provisional; South African licenses must be the new plastic type).
• Translation of the foreign license by the Foreign Ministry, a lawyer, or the issuing country's consulate in Greece (with the consul's signature authenticated by the Greek Foreign Ministry). If the translation does not specify the corresponding Greek category, provide a document from the issuing service showing authorized vehicle categories with translation.
• One recent passport-type color photograph.
• Payment receipt for stamp duties: 18 euros for categories A and B, and 108.15 euros for other categories.
• Two health certificates (from a pathologist and an ophthalmologist, or a Higher Medical Committee certificate), including two 32-euro deposits and 4 photographs. Physicians must be contracted with the relevant Transport and Communications Department.
• A document from the issuing service, translated, confirming the license details and that it is not held due to sanctions (to be sent via the Greek consulate).

Procedure

• Submit the application to the Transport and Communications Department in your area.
• You must surrender your foreign driving license as part of the conversion; it is not returned. US, Canadian and Australian licenses are handed in when you collect your Greek license, so you can keep driving on them while your application is processed. Japanese, South African and South Korean licenses are handed in when you apply.
• If holding another driving license from Greece or another EU state, it must be handed over to issue a new license with all authorized vehicle categories.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, obtaining a driving license in Greece involves several essential steps, including meeting the age requirements, enrolling in a driving school, completing the necessary theoretical and practical training, and passing both written and road tests. By diligently following these steps and ensuring you have all the right papers, you can successfully navigate the process.

FAQs

Can I drive in Greece with my foreign license?

EU licenses are valid in Greece. US, Canadian, Australian and UK licenses can be used for cars and motorcycles during your stay, including after you become a resident, as long as they're valid. Most other non-EU licenses need an IDP while you're visiting and must be replaced with a Greek license once you become a resident.

Do I have to convert my US license after six months in Greece?

No. Under Article 98 of Law 5209/2025, a valid US license can be used to drive cars and motorcycles in Greece during your stay, whether or not you're a resident. Conversion is optional, and it means surrendering your US license. It can make sense if your US license is about to expire and you can't renew it from Greece.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Greece?

You must get your IDP from the country that issued your driver's license, not in Greece. US license holders can apply online, in person or by mail through AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), the only two issuers authorized by the US Department of State. You'll need a passport-style photo, a copy of both sides of your license and the fee. The permit is mailed to you and is valid for one year.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for car insurance in Greece?

Insurers and rental companies in Greece may ask for one if your license was issued outside the EU. The US State Department notes that driving without the required documents can mean fines of €1,000 or more and paying all accident costs yourself, so get your IDP before arranging cover.

What documents do I need to apply for a Greek driver's license?

You will need a passport or ID card, a residence permit, a medical certificate proving fitness to drive, two biometric passport-sized photos, a completed application form, your Tax Number (AFM), and proof of address such as a utility bill or rental agreement.

What types of driver's licenses exist in Greece?

Greek driving licenses are categorized by vehicle type. The AM license covers two-wheeled vehicles up to 25 km/h, A1 covers motorcycles up to 125cc, A2 covers motorcycles up to 35 kW for drivers over 20, A covers all motorcycles for drivers aged 24 or with two years of A2 experience, and the B license is the standard car license for vehicles up to 3,500 kg. Additional categories cover commercial vehicles, buses, and special machinery.

How long is a Greek driver's license valid?

Licenses for standard categories (AM, A1, A2, A, B) are valid for 15 years or until age 65. From ages 65 to 80, all licenses are valid for a maximum of 3 years, and after age 80, licenses are valid for up to 2 years.

Can I convert my foreign license to a Greek driver's license?

Yes, if you hold a valid license from countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa, or South Korea, you can convert it to a Greek license without retaking the full test. You must live in Greece, meet the age and health requirements, and not already hold a Greek or EU driving license. Required documents include your foreign passport, a valid residence permit, the original foreign license, a certified translation, health certificates, passport photos, and payment of applicable stamp duties. Note that you must surrender your original license as part of the conversion.

What are the Greek driving license requirements for renewal?

The main Greek driving license requirements usually include having proof of residence in Greece, holding a valid Greek or EU driving license, your AFM and Taxisnet credentials, providing a recent passport style photo, and completing the required declarations or documents. Requirements can vary depending on your license category and personal situation.

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Written by Chloe Mason, founder of My Greek Expat Journey. Chloe has lived in seven countries and has personally guided 300+ people through Greek residency, tax, property and bureaucracy. More articles by Chloe.