Driving Differences: Greece vs. Sweden Explained
Embarking on a journey through Greece or Sweden? It's essential to understand the distinct driving regulations that prioritize safety in each nation. From traffic signals and speed limits to lane usage and etiquette, this comparison reveals crucial variations that every traveler should be aware of. Stay informed and drive safely as you explore these unique cultures!
Lanes
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
greece:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
greece:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
greece:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
greece:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
greece:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
greece:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
greece:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
greece:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
greece:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
greece:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
greece:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
greece:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
greece:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
greece:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
greece:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
greece:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
greece:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
greece:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
greece:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
greece:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
greece:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
greece:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
greece:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
greece:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
greece:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
greece:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
greece:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
greece:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
greece:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
greece:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.