Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Greece?
If you are visiting Paros and plan to rent a car, scooter or ATV, it is important to know whether your driving licence is legally accepted in Greece or if an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
Below you will find clear, up-to-date information based on current Greek law.
Who does NOT need an International Driving Permit (IDP) when renting a vehicle in Paros
Driving licences issued in the European Union and EEA
All driving licences issued by countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) are fully accepted in Greece. An International Driving Permit is not required.
EU and EEA countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.
Switzerland
Driving licences issued in Switzerland are accepted in Greece without an IDP for up to twelve months from the date of entry into the country.
Countries accepted without an IDP for car, scooter or ATV rental in Paros
Driving licences issued by the following countries are accepted in Greece without an International Driving Permit, but must be accompanied by a translation in Greek or English:
United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Gibraltar.
Other non-EU / non-EEA countries accepted without an IDP in Greece
Driving licences issued by the following countries are accepted in Greece without an International Driving Permit, provided all legal conditions are met:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Georgia, Guyana, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.
Countries covered by the 1949 Geneva Road Traffic Convention
Driving licences issued by the following countries may be accepted for driving in Greece under specific conditions:
Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka.
A national driving licence from these countries may be accepted without an International Driving Permit (IDP) only if it is readable in Latin characters or accompanied by a translation in Greek or English. If not, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required together with the national driving licence.
Who needs an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent and drive in Paros
If your driving licence was issued by a country outside the European Union or the EEA and is not listed above, Greek law requires you to hold a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your national driving licence.
Important requirements when renting a car, scooter or ATV in Paros
- You must carry your valid physical driving licence when driving in Greece.
- Photocopies or photos of a driving licence are NOT accepted.
- Driving licences presented on a mobile phone (digital or electronic licences) issued by foreign authorities are NOT accepted in Greece.
- Digital driving licences are currently accepted only for Greek licence holders and do not apply to visitors or foreign driving licences.
- Drivers who cannot present a valid physical driving licence may not legally drive or rent a vehicle in Greece.