Greece introduces new rules for private cars: Changes to KTEO, emissions cards, and electric vehicles

Greece has introduced a new law bringing significant changes for private car owners, including stricter emissions controls, updated inspection rules, and new incentives for electric vehicles.

The legislation, enacted by the Greek Ministry of Transport, aims to improve road safety, increase transparency in vehicle inspections, and accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner mobility.

Stricter Emissions Checks for Diesel Vehicles
Under the new rules, diesel vehicles will undergo mandatory checks for particulate emissions starting July 1, 2027.

The measure targets cases where owners remove particulate filters or catalytic converters to avoid replacement costs. Vehicles exceeding emission limits will fail inspection at KTEO centers and must be brought into compliance.

The regulation applies to vehicles first registered after January 1, 2013.

New Rules for Emissions Cards and Mileage Tracking
Significant changes also affect emissions control cards. These can now only be issued by public or private KTEO centers or certified workshops, following reports of abuse under the previous system.

Additionally, mileage records will now be tracked from the first year of registration, closing loopholes that allowed some owners to reset odometers before inspections.

Paid Custom License Plates and Environmental Funding
The law also abolishes informal payments for preferential license plate numbers. Drivers requesting specific number combinations must now officially pay the state, with 50% of the revenue allocated to e-mobility and environmental initiatives.

Changes for Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Driving license category B regulations have been updated, increasing the permissible weight for electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles from 3.5 to 4.25 tons.

In addition:

• Free parking for electric and low-emission vehicles (up to 50g CO₂/km) is extended until the end of 2026
• From January 1, 2027, 1 in 4 new company cars must be fully electric or plug-in hybrid
• Chauffeur-driven rental vans in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki must be fully electric

New Requirements for Imported Used Cars
The law introduces stricter rules for imported used vehicles. These must now be registered in the MEMO Registry before receiving Greek license plates.

Car dealers are also required to register with the National Producer Registry to operate legally.

Trailer Legalization Deadline
A deadline has also been set for the legalization of homemade trailers and roof boxes, with a €200 fee required for compliance.