All you need to know in order to exchange your UK driving licence to a Greek one if you are a UK expatriate living in Greece!
If you are a UK national living in Greece you should exchange your UK driving licence for a Greek driving licence until 31 December 2021. We have gathered all the necessary information below to help you find your way through the process.
This guide consists of the following sections:
1. UK nationals living and driving in Greece
1.1 Converting a UK licence to a Greek Driver’s Licence
1.2 Driving licence loss, theft, replacement for expats in Greece
2. UK nationals driving in Greece while on holiday
2.1. Driving licence loss, theft, replacement while on holiday in Greece
3. More guidance and references
1. UK nationals living and driving in Greece
Joint Ministerial Decision Δ30/A3/24136 (Β’ 368/02-02-2021), published on February 2nd, 2021, allows UK nationals, beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement, resident in Greece, to exchange their UK driving licence or CPC driver qualification card for a Greek driving licence.
If you are a UK national, beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement, resident in Greece, holder of a UK driving licence or a CPC driver qualification card, you can continue using your driving licence or CPC card without problem until 31 December 2021 (deadline extended by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on 27 April 2021 with Circular Note Δ30/Α3/112688).
1.1 Converting a UK licence to a Greek Driver’s Licence
UK nationals can exchange their licence without repeating a driving test.
You will simply need to submit the results of a physical and eye examination to the competent authorities, including the necessary supporting documents required.
For the exchange, you can book an appointment either at the Directorates of Transport & Communications of the Decentralized Administrations of your place of residence or at a Citizen Service Center (ΚΕΠ / KEP) of your place of residence.
Click here for a translated version of the KEP finder website in order to locate a KEP near you. Alternatively, use the ERMIS GOV.gr website.
To exchange your UK driving licence you will need to show a valid passport and evidence of your residence in Greece. Such evidence could be the following:
- the new biometric residency card issued to beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement in Greece or
- if the biometric residency card is not issued yet, alternative supporting documentation, e.g. an EU citizen Registration Certificate or an EU citizen Permanent Residency Permit (beige or blue cards, non valid since 1.1.2021, but still strong supporting documents), a certificate of employment or documents proving an independent economic activity in Greece, a certificate of registration in a public or private educational institution (approved or funded by the Greek state), documents proving sufficient income or health insurance coverage in Greece, tax returns, certificate/proof of existing family ties with a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement etc.
The following documents are required for your application:
- Application form that you will be required to fill in at the KEP office or the Transport & Communications office
- A Photocopy of the UK driving licence
- Certified translation of the UK driving licence made by the Ministry of foreign affairs or a lawyer
- Copy or your passport
- Receipt of payment of stamp duty, payable at a Public Revenue Office (Εφορία/Eforia) ~ €30.00 for the printing of the driving licence
- Two (2) recent photos, passport type (biometric)
- Results of a physical and eye examination
- Residence Certificate issued at least 95 days before the application
This process may take up to 50 days. Once the new driving licence is ready for collection, the applicant will be informed by text message (SMS) or by telephone. The original driving licence will be returned to the relevant authority in the issuing country.
NOTE: UK or Greek nationals who return to their country of origin (UK and Greece respectively) may get their original driving licences back by exchange again.
NOTE: If you have exchanged in the past a driving licence issued by a non-EU country with a licence issued in another EU country, it is still valid in Greek territory as it stands, as long as the conditions for granting the corresponding category of Greek driving licence are met.
1.2 Driving licence loss, theft, replacement for expats in Greece
If you are an EU citizen with normal residence in Greece and you lose or have your driving licence stolen, you may, under Article 11(5) of Directive 2006/126/EC, submit an application to the competent Greek authority together with the required supporting documents for the issuance of a copy of the driving licence due to loss or theft.
A copy of the driving licence is issued on the basis of the information in the possession of the competent Greek authority or, where appropriate, proof from the competent authorities of the Member State which issued the original licence. The local Transport and Communications Service in the region of the interested person’s place of residence is the competent Greek authority for performing the above procedure of issuing a copy of a driving licence.
2. UK nationals driving in Greece while on holiday
You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check yours is still valid and renew your driving licence online if it’s expired or about to expire. You’ll need to apply to renew your licence at least a week before you travel.
If you’re taking your own vehicle, you also need to take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate.
If you’re taking a vehicle abroad that you’ve hired or leased in the UK, you’ll need a VE103 certificate.
2.1 Driving licence loss, theft, replacement while on holiday
If you lose or have your driving licence stolen while on holiday in Greece, you must declare it as such to the local police authority.
After you have made your declaration, the police authority will issue you with a certificate stating the loss or theft.
If you lose or have your driving licence stolen while on holiday in Greece, regardless of whether you are an EU citizen or not, there is no provision for the issuance of a document – certificate of temporary validity which will allow you to continue to drive on Greek territory.
3. More Guidance & References
For more information on driving in Greece as a resident or while on holiday please visit the following web sites:
- Citizen Service Centre (KEP)
- Transport and Communication Department
- Non-EU driving licences – Exchange & recognition
- Driving licence loss, theft, replacement
- UK nationals Driving abroad
- UK nationals Driving abroad – safety & security
- Driving in the EU
- Driving in Europe: UK licence holders living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
- EU: Driving licence renewal in another EU country
- Brexit: UK Citizens in Greece
- UK Goverment Guidance on Living in Greece
- Living in Greece after Brexit? 5 Tips for UK expats
- How to get or renew your residence permit in Greece (biometric permits)
Driving in Greece after Brexit - FAQs
How do I convert my UK driving Licence to a Greek Driving Licence?
UK nationals can exchange their licence without repeating a driving test. You will simply need to submit the results of a physical and eye examination to the competent authorities, including the necessary supporting documents required.
For the exchange, you can book an appointment either at the Directorates of Transport & Communications of the Decentralized Administrations of your place of residence or at a Citizen Service Center (ΚΕΠ / KEP) of your place of residence.
The following documents are required for your application:
- Application form that you will be required to fill in at the KEP office or the Transport & Communications office
- A Photocopy of the UK driving licence
- Certified translation of the UK driving licence made by the Ministry of foreign affairs or a lawyer
- Copy or your passport
- Receipt of payment of stamp duty, payable at a Public Revenue Office (Εφορία/Eforia) ~ €30.00 for the printing of the driving licence
- Two (2) recent photos, passport type (biometric)
- Results of a physical and eye examination
- Residence Certificate issued at least 95 days before the application
Read our guide for more information here.
Can I use a British driving Licence as an expat in Greece?
If you are a UK national, beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement, resident in Greece, holder of a UK driving licence or a CPC driver qualification card, you can continue using your driving licence or CPC card without problem until 31 December 2021 (deadline extended by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on 27 April 2021 with Circular Note Δ30/Α3/112688).
Read our guide for more information here.
Do I need international driving Licence for Greece?
If you are planning on driving during your trip to Greece, you should get an International Driver's Licence. Greek laws require a foreign driver to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well as a state-issued driver's licence to operate a vehicle in the country.
Read our guide for more information here.
Can I drive in Greece with a UK licence after Brexit?
Will my driving licence be valid? Yes, most UK drivers are still able to use their normal driving licence to drive in EU countries. If you are a UK national, beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement, resident in Greece, holder of a UK driving licence or a CPC driver qualification card, you can continue using your driving licence or CPC card without problem until 31 December 2021 (deadline extended by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on 27 April 2021 with Circular Note Δ30/Α3/112688).
Read our guide for more information here.
How do I exchange my driving Licence in Greece?
For the exchange, you can book an appointment either at the Directorates of Transport & Communications of the Decentralized Administrations of your place of residence or at a Citizen Service Center (ΚΕΠ / KEP) of your place of residence.
The following documents are required for your application:
- Application form that you will be required to fill in at the KEP office or the Transport & Communications office
- A Photocopy of the UK driving licence
- Certified translation of the UK driving licence made by the Ministry of foreign affairs or a lawyer
- Copy or your passport
- Receipt of payment of stamp duty, payable at a Public Revenue Office (Εφορία/Eforia) ~ €30.00 for the printing of the driving licence
- Two (2) recent photos, passport type (biometric)
- Results of a physical and eye examination
- Residence Certificate issued at least 95 days before the application
Read our guide for more information here.
