Driving in Greece vs. Spain: Key Differences Uncovered
When traveling through Greece and Spain, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial for ensuring a smooth and secure journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. While Greece permits overtaking on multi-lane roads, Spain enforces stricter guidelines. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving landscapes safely.
Lanes
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
greece:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay