Driving in Greece vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Greece and Switzerland, distinct variations in traffic regulations and safety protocols become evident. From speed limits to lane markings, understanding these nuances is essential for a secure journey. Discover how these two countries differ in their driving practices, ensuring your travels abroad are both enjoyable and safe.
Lanes
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
greece:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police may set up roadblocks | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
greece:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
greece:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay