Driving in Greece vs. Portugal: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Greece and Portugal, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key contrasts include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the use of bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a safer driving experience as you explore the scenic routes of both countries.
Lanes
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | Possible |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Portugal |
| 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common, especially during holidays |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay