Can I drive after drinking alcohol?
It depends on the limit: only legal below 0.50 g/L blood. Under the new Road Code (Law 5209/2025), the general limit is 0.50 g/L blood (0.25 mg/L breath); below it driving is legal. For novice drivers (first 2 years) and professionals, a stricter 0.20 g/L limit applies. The offence is tiered: 0.50–0.80 (tier 1), 0.80–1.10 (tier 2), and over 1.10 g/L (tier 3, a misdemeanour). Refusing the test is treated as the top criminal tier. In all tiers, the vehicle is mandatorily immobilised. In short: if you've been drinking, the safest thing is not to drive.
📋 The rules
- General limit: 0.50 g/L blood (0.25 mg/L breath)
- Novice/professionals: stricter 0.20 g/L limit
- Tiers: 0.50–0.80 · 0.80–1.10 · over 1.10
- Over 1.10 g/L: a misdemeanour (criminal prosecution)
- Refusing the test: treated as the top tier
🔓 Exceptions
- Below the limit: driving is legal
- Novice/professional drivers: the lower 0.20 limit applies
- Recidivism: escalates to €4,000 and a 10-year withdrawal
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Under the new Road Code, fines escalate: 0.50–0.80 g/L → €350 + 30-day licence withdrawal; 0.80–1.10 g/L → €700 + 90 days; over 1.10 g/L → €1,200 + 180 days, immobilisation and criminal prosecution. Recidivism escalates to €4,000 and licence withdrawal up to 10 years. In every case the vehicle is immobilised. To stay compliant and safe: if you've consumed alcohol, don't drive — use a taxi, public transport or a sober driver. Remember that even one drink can put you over the limit, especially for novice or professional drivers.
📎 Official sources
- Law 5209/2025 · the new Road Traffic Code →
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport →
- Hellenic Police — traffic →
❓ Frequently asked
What's the alcohol limit for driving?
The general limit is 0.50 g/L blood (0.25 mg/L breath). Below it, driving is legal. For novice drivers in their first two years and for professional drivers, a stricter limit of 0.20 g/L blood applies.
What fine do I risk?
Under the new Road Code, for 0.50–0.80 g/L the fine is €350 and a 30-day licence withdrawal; for 0.80–1.10 g/L, €700 and 90 days; for over 1.10 g/L, €1,200, 180 days, immobilisation and criminal prosecution. Recidivism escalates to €4,000.
What applies to novice and professional drivers?
For novice drivers in their first two years and for professional drivers, the limit is lower, 0.20 g/L blood. It's a stricter framework reflecting the higher risk in these categories.
What if I refuse the test?
Refusing to take an alcohol test is treated as the top criminal tier. So refusing doesn't help you — on the contrary, it exposes you to the heaviest sanctions, with a high fine, a long licence withdrawal and criminal prosecution.
Is the vehicle immobilised?
Yes. In all tiers of the drink-driving offence, the vehicle is mandatorily immobilised. In the most serious cases, impoundment is added. So the safest thing is not to drive at all after consuming alcohol.
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