Mr. Kyranakis underlined, speaking to ERT, that from today the Athens metro will operate on a 24-hour basis every Saturday, facilitating citizens' travel, while he pointed out that among other things, the goal is to enhance the city's nightlife and reduce vehicle traffic in the city center, and especially the traffic accidents that occur.

At the same time, referring to the new Road Traffic Code, he noted that it includes stricter penalties for dangerous driving, stressing that "We want to put an end to impunity. Life has no price and offenses that endanger human lives will be treated much more strictly."

Regarding the taxi sector, the minister said that regulations are progressing to upgrade services and better serve passengers. "Our goal is a modern framework that will respect both the professional and the citizen," he pointed out.

As for the financial measures, Mr. Kyranakis underlined that the government's priority is supporting the family. As he said, tax relief and incentives for young couples are being considered to address the demographic issue. "We want to make the daily lives of new parents easier, to have more resources and fewer burdens," he said.

In conclusion, the minister stressed that all interventions are part of a strategy that unites infrastructure upgrading with social policy, with the goal of "a safer, fairer, and more citizen-friendly Greece."

The fines

Fines can reach up to 4,000 euros, while driver's license suspension can be up to 10 years.

Use of a mobile phone without causing an incident

What was in effect: License suspension for 60 days and plates for 60 days.

What will be in effect: 350 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days.

Recurrence:

1st recurrence: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 180 days.

2nd recurrence: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Use of a mobile phone causing an incident

What was in effect: License suspension for 60 days and plates for 60 days - No criminal sanction for causing a traffic accident due to mobile phone use.

What will be in effect: 350 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 4 years.

2nd: 4,000 euro fine, license suspension for 8 years.

Criminalization: In all 3 cases, Article 290A of the Penal Code for dangerous driving, which includes prison sentences, is applied.

Lifting of secrecy: For this specific punishable act, the investigation may also include the lifting of the secrecy of communications and of the location and movement data thereof, with the observance of the guarantees and procedures provided by law.

Non-use of a protective helmet

What was in effect: Driver's license suspension for 60 days and deprivation of plates for 60 days and the passenger received a 50 euro fine.

What will be in effect: 350 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days. The non-use of a protective helmet by the passenger is punishable with a fine for themselves (350 euros), but also for the driver, even if they were wearing one.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 180 days.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for up to 1 year.

Non-use of a seat belt

What was in effect: License and plates suspension for 60 days, passenger fine 50 euros.

What will be in effect:

Driver: 350 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days.

Passenger: Non-use of a belt by the passenger is punishable with a fine of 150 euros for themselves and for the driver, even if they were wearing one.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 180 days.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for up to 1 year.

Driving under the influence of alcohol (0.50 - 1.10 g/l)

What was in effect: 200–700 euro fine, license suspension for up to 90 days, and criminal prosecution in serious cases.

What will be in effect:

Modern detection methods are established that also cover substances. Mandatory immobilization and custody of the vehicle.

For alcohol influence 0.50 - 0.80 g/l: 350 euro fine and license suspension for 30 days.

For limit 0.80 g/l - 1.10 g/l: 700 euro fine and license suspension for 90 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 180 days in both cases.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Driving under the influence of alcohol (over 1.10 g/l)

What was in effect: 1,200 euro fine, driver's license suspension for 180 days, imprisonment for at least 2 months.

What will be in effect: 1,200 euro fine and license - plates suspension for 180 days, the vehicle is mandatorily immobilized and stored. Imprisonment from 2 months to 5 years, deprivation of vehicle circulation elements for 10 days - 6 months by the court.

Recurrence:

1st: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 7 years.

2nd: 4,000 euro fine, license suspension for 10 years.

Speeding > 50km/h

What was in effect: Fine from 20 to 175 euros, driver's license suspension for up to 60 days.

What will be in effect: 700 euro fine and license suspension for 60 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for up to 180 days.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Speed > 200km/h or "races"

What was in effect: 700 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days and plates for 30 days.

What will be in effect: 2,000 euro fine and license suspension for 1 year.

Recurrence:

1st: 4,000 euro fine, license suspension for 2 years.

2nd: 8,000 euro fine, license suspension for 4 years.

Violation of traffic light

What was in effect: 700 euro fine, driver's license suspension for 60 days and deprivation of plates for 20 days.

What will be in effect: 700 euro fine and license suspension for 60 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for up to 180 days.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Violation of STOP (without causing an incident)

What was in effect: No distinction was made for causing or not causing an accident. 700 euro fine, driver's license suspension for 20 days and deprivation of plates for 20 days.

What will be in effect: 350 euro fine and license suspension for 30 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for up to 180 days.

2nd: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Violation of STOP (causing an incident)

What was in effect: No distinction was made for causing or not causing an accident. 700 euro fine, driver's license suspension for 20 days and deprivation of plates for 20 days.

What will be in effect: 700 euro fine and license suspension for 60 days.

Recurrence:

1st: 2,000 euro fine and license suspension for 4 years.

2nd: 4,000 euro fine and license suspension for 8 years.

Driving without a license

What was in effect: Imprisonment for 1–12 months, 100 euro fine, license suspension for 30 days.

What will be in effect: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year, imprisonment for up to 2 years. In case of an accident, the provisions of the Penal Code for dangerous driving apply.

Recurrence:

1st: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 4 years.

2nd: 4,000 euro fine, license suspension for 8 years.

Obstruction of railway movement

What was in effect: Fine from 40 to 350 euros and license suspension for up to 60 days and plates for up to 20 days.

What will be in effect: 1,200 euro fine, license suspension for 60 days, imprisonment for up to 5 years and a monetary penalty of 2,000 euros.

Recurrence:

1st: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 4 years.

2nd: 4,000 euro fine, license suspension for 8 years.

Obstruction of public transport

What was in effect: There was no central regulation. There were only scattered provisions for sub-cases, with fines from 40 to 100 euros.

What will be in effect: Illegal stopping or parking that obstructs the passage of public transport vehicles is codified as an offense.

350 euro fine and license suspension for 70 days.

Circulation of taxis in bus lanes

What was in effect: The circulation of taxis (including loaded ones) in the bus lane was prohibited.

100 euro fine.

No possibility for a short stop.

Deprivation of license after accumulation of 5 offenses in the point system.

What will be in effect:

The license suspension is abolished.

150 euro fine when the bus lane is violated.

The circulation of taxis (including loaded ones) in the bus lane is prohibited for the purpose of the speed and reliability of the new fleet of Buses in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Exceptions:

Boarding

Alighting (when a bus is not obstructed)

Night hours

Zero-emission Taxis

Special Type Taxis for People with Disabilities

Parking in a spot for people with disabilities

What was in effect:

Driver's license and plates suspension for 60 days.

What will be in effect:

An increased administrative fine of 150 euros is imposed.

Driver's license and plates suspension for 60 days, while the vehicle is removed on the spot.

Recurrence:

1st recurrence: 1,000 euro fine, license suspension for 180 days.

2nd recurrence: 2,000 euro fine, license suspension for 1 year.

Speed limits

What was in effect: General speed limit of 50 km/h within residential areas.

Special speed limits were determined on a case-by-case basis with signage.

What will be in effect:

Until January 1, 2026, the general limit of 50 km/h is maintained.

From 2026, new speed limits will be applied, depending on the type of road, unless otherwise specified by signage.

INKEFALONIA NEWSROOM