Driving in Finland vs. Greece: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Finland and Greece, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journeys. Notable contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements, which reflect each nation's approach to road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
greece:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
greece:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay