Greece: EUR since 2002, Schengen since 2000, 10.4M people. Major cities: Athens, Thessaloniki, Iraklio, Patra, Larissa. Greek official language, English widely spoken in tourist areas. Mediterranean climate; islands 5-15°C warmer than mainland winters.
On this page
Brief introduction: Hellenic Republic
Greece is a Mediterranean country at the southeastern tip of Europe, occupying the southernmost part of the Balkan peninsula plus about 6,000 islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas (227 of them inhabited). Bordered by Albania (282 km), North Macedonia (228 km), Bulgaria (494 km), and Turkey (206 km) on land, and by Mediterranean/Aegean/Ionian seas everywhere else (13,676 km of coastline: one of the longest in the world relative to land area).
Politically: parliamentary republic since restoration of democracy in 1974 (after the military junta 1967-1974). EU member since 1981, Eurozone since 2002, Schengen since 2000. President: Katerina Sakellaropoulou (independent, first female head of state, elected 2020). Prime Minister after 2023 elections: Kyriakos Mitsotakis (New Democracy, centre-right). Greece is a stable democracy though it went through severe financial crisis 2010-2018 (three bailouts, austerity, temporary Grexit fears).
Economically: GDP per capita around €22,000 (2025, below EU average €39,000 but recovering). Main sectors: tourism (33 million visitors/year, 25% of GDP), shipping (Greek shipowners control 20%+ of world merchant fleet by tonnage), agriculture (olive oil world leader, wine, feta cheese), refining (Motor Oil Hellas, Hellenic Petroleum). Recovery post-crisis: growth 2%+ per year 2022-2025, unemployment down from 27% (2013) to 11% (2026).
Key facts for foreign drivers
| Fact | Value | Note for foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 131,957 km² | Similar to Iceland or England |
| Population | 10.4 million | Similar to Belgium |
| Capital | Athens (Athina) | 3.7 million metro |
| Government form | Parliamentary republic | Stable democracy |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Since 2002 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) | 1 hour ahead of most of Europe |
| Daylight saving | Last Sun Mar - last Sun Oct | Same as most EU |
| Driving side | Right | Same as most Europe |
| Power grid | 230V, Type C/F (Schuko) | German/French plug fits |
| Emergency | 112 (108 coast guard) | EU standard + Greek islands add |
| Country code | +30 | 10 digits |
| Border NL-Greece | 2,400 km + ferry | 30 hours drive + Adriatic crossing |
Time zone important: Greece is one hour ahead of Central Europe (UTC+2 vs UTC+1). When Netherlands has 12:00, Greece has 13:00. On the A2 Egnatia Odos from Turkish border, no time change (Turkey moved to UTC+3 in 2016 but Greek border is still UTC+2).
Climate and travel time
Greece has excellent climate for road travel most of the year. Over 300 sunny days per year on southern islands. For foreign drivers relevant:
Spring (March-May): excellent travel time for touring. Temperatures 15-24°C on coast, 20-28°C in south. Little rain, wildflowers blooming in Peloponnese and Crete. Ideal for archaeology and hiking (Meteora, Delphi, Samaria Gorge). Fewer tourists than summer.
Summer (June-September): peak tourist season for all Greek islands. Coast 28-35°C manageable via sea breeze, but mainland interior (Athens 40°C+ heatwaves) brutal. Wildfire risk peak July-September - domestic tourists avoid Attica and Central Greece interior at alert red. Meltemi wind July-August: 30-50 km/h consistent Aegean winds, disrupts ferries, cools islands 3-5°C but makes driving on bridges tricky.
Autumn (September-November): best-kept secret for Northern Europeans. Coast still 22-28°C, sea 22-25°C swimmable. Grape harvest in Peloponnese and Macedonia. Fewer people than summer. Perfect for autumn island-hopping via ferry.
Winter (December-February): Athens mild (10-14°C), Thessaloniki cooler (5-10°C), Crete/Dodecanese/Ionian mild 12-18°C (winter residence potential for Northern European retirees). Mountain regions with snow, ski resorts in Parnassos, Pelion, Vermio. Winter tyres NOT mandatory nationally but snow chains needed for Pindos, Olympus, Parnassos mountain roads December-March.
Travel documents for European citizens
Travel to Greece:
- EU/EEA plastic ID card enough (unless from island via international flight, then passport)
- Passport optional but useful for longer trips (recommended from 3+ months)
- Children need own passport or own ID card
- Driving licence: EU plastic card format enough without translation
- Vehicle registration: your home country registration enough
- Green card insurance: EU standard, all insurers issue
- EHIC (European Health Insurance Card): on back of your national health card
- ELPA membership (via AAA/ADAC/RAC/PZM home country): for breakdown assistance
Ferry from Italy (Bari/Ancona/Venice to Patra/Igoumenitsa/Corfu):
- Adds 15-20 hours to journey but avoids Balkans overland transit
- Foot passenger €60-120 per person one-way
- Car passage €80-180 additional
- Ferry cabin recommended for overnight (€50-150 per cabin)
Travel with pet:
- EU pet passport (blue) with valid rabies vaccination
- Microchip mandatory
- Dogs and cats: no quarantine
- Some Greek islands: dogs may not enter beaches during summer (varies by municipality)
Major cities and regions
Athens (Athina) - capital and cultural centre. 3.7 million metropolitan area, Acropolis + Parthenon on limestone hill, Plaka historic district, Syntagma square (Parliament), Monastiraki flea market. For foreign drivers: Daktilios plate-parity restriction weekdays (foreign plates exempt), extensive metro system, parking chaotic. Piraeus port for Aegean ferries.
Thessaloniki - second city, cultural capital of northern Greece. 1.1 million metropolitan, White Tower, Byzantine walls, Roman Rotonda, UNESCO Byzantine churches. For foreign drivers: gateway to Chalkidiki peninsula and Mount Athos.
Iraklio (Heraklion) - Crete’s capital. 175,000, ferry port + international airport. Knossos archaeological site (Minoan palace). Base for exploring Crete north coast (A90 highway) and Samaria Gorge.
Chania - Crete’s western capital. 110,000, Venetian harbour, Ottoman heritage, gateway to Elafonisi pink beach and Samaria Gorge.
Rhodes (Rodos) - Dodecanese hub. 84,000, medieval UNESCO Old Town (Knights of St John castle), Lindos acropolis. Popular with British, German, Scandinavian tourists.
Corfu (Kerkyra) - Ionian island. 32,000, Venetian old town UNESCO. Popular with British (British protectorate 1815-1864), German, Scandinavian, Italian tourists.
Santorini (Thira) - Cycladic island. 15,000, caldera view Oia + Fira, white villages. Extremely popular tourist destination, expensive, crowded.
Mykonos - Cycladic island. 10,000, party island, expensive. Famous windmills.
Zakynthos - Ionian island. 40,000, Navagio “Shipwreck Beach”, turtle protection zone. Popular with British and Dutch tourists.
Kefalonia - Ionian island. 36,000, Melissani cave lake, less touristy than sister Zakynthos.
Meteora - mainland monastic complex UNESCO. Not a city but essential Central Greece stop.
Money, payment, tipping
Card payment: Greece is increasingly cashless in tourist areas. All restaurants, hotels, petrol stations, supermarkets accept debit and credit cards. Contactless up to €50 without PIN. Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted since 2020. However: rural mainland (mountain Peloponnese, remote islands) still cash-heavy, especially small tavernas.
ATMs (Automatoi Tameiakoi Michanes): everywhere in cities and towns. Fee depends on home bank (€0-6 per withdrawal). DKB Girokonto, Revolut, Wise: no fees worldwide, excellent exchange rates. Some remote islands have only 1-2 ATMs: plan ahead when island-hopping.
Cash-only in Greek daily life:
- Small tavernas (Peloponnese, small islands)
- Farmers markets (laiki)
- Some bakeries and kiosks
- Church donation boxes
- Ferry tickets on remote routes (some can only be bought cash at port)
Tipping: not obligatory but customary. Restaurant: round up or 5-10% for good service. Hotel bellhop: €1-2 per bag. Taxi: round up to nearest euro. Guide: €5-10 per day tour.
Taxes: VAT (FPA) 24% standard, 13% food/hospitality, 6% books/pharmaceuticals. Islands have reduced VAT (13% standard) on many Aegean islands to help with logistics costs.
Practical tips for foreign drivers
- Greek card works everywhere: your home bank card operates fine at all ATMs
- Tipping not obligatory but customary: 5-10% at restaurants for good service
- Reservation important at popular tourist restaurants (Athens Plaka, Santorini Oia)
- ELPA membership before trip: renew AAA/ADAC/RAC/PZM before departure for free ELPA breakdown help
- EHIC covers medical: for Grexit-era public hospitals; private clinics need travel insurance
- Roaming EU rules apply: no extra costs for phone/data
- Time zone shift: set car clock to UTC+2 before you arrive (or automatic phone update)
- Athens embassy list saved: US, UK, DE, FR, NL all in same Vasilissis Sofias area
- Greek yogurt everywhere: cheap in supermarkets, part of the culture
- Greek breakfast in tavernas: 06:00-10:00 heavy breakfast is not typical - Greeks prefer coffee + light snack until 12:00
Related topics: Greece
- Driving rules · Speed, alcohol
- LEZ zones · City restrictions
- Weather · 7-day forecast
- Live traffic · Current jams
- Toll roads · Per-country prices