Driving in Greece vs. Netherlands: Key Differences Revealed
When traveling through Greece or the Netherlands, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions arise in lane markings, speed limits, and documentation requirements, with Greece favoring solid yellow lines and higher speed limits, while the Netherlands employs more electronic traffic management and distinct bicycle lanes. Stay informed to drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required