Can I ride a motorcycle without a helmet?
No: an approved helmet is mandatory on a motorcycle and moped. Under the new Road Code (Law 5209/2025), both the rider and the passenger must wear an approved, properly fastened helmet. A new element: the rider is liable if the passenger has no helmet — one stop can yield two fines. Repeat offences escalate. Note the distinction: a bicycle helmet is mandatory only for children up to 12, and e-scooters carry a smaller fine — motorcycles/mopeds have a strict regime. In short: don't get on a motorcycle or scooter without an approved helmet — it's mandatory and saves lives.
📋 The rules
- Approved helmet mandatory on motorcycle/moped
- Applies to the rider and the passenger
- The rider is liable if the passenger has no helmet
- Properly fastened, approved — not decorative
- Repeat offences: escalating penalties
🔓 Exceptions
- The helmet must be approved and properly fastened
- Bicycle: helmet mandatory only for children up to 12
- E-scooter: smaller fine, not a motorcycle
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is fined €350 and removal of licence and plates for 30 days. The passenger without a helmet brings a separate €350, and the rider is also charged €350 — so one stop can yield two fines. Repeat offences escalate. Beyond the fine, the real risk is in a crash: the helmet greatly reduces the risk of serious head injury, the main cause of death among motorcyclists. To stay compliant and safe: always wear an approved helmet, properly fastened, make sure the passenger wears one too, and note that a decorative helmet doesn't meet the standards.
📎 Official sources
- Law 5209/2025 · the new Road Traffic Code →
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport →
- Hellenic Police — traffic →
❓ Frequently asked
Is a helmet mandatory on a scooter?
Yes. Under the new Road Code, both the rider and the passenger on a motorcycle or moped must wear an approved, properly fastened helmet when riding on public roads. Not wearing a helmet is fined and brings removal of licence and plates.
Must the passenger wear a helmet too?
Yes. The duty applies equally to the rider and the passenger. A new element of the Road Code is that the rider is liable if the passenger has no helmet, so one stop can yield two separate €350 fines.
How much is the no-helmet fine?
Riding without a helmet is fined €350 and removal of licence and plates for 30 days. A passenger without a helmet brings a further €350, charged to the rider too. Repeat offences escalate the penalties further.
Does a decorative helmet count?
No. The helmet must be approved and properly fastened. A decorative or non-approved helmet doesn't meet the legal condition and won't protect you properly in a crash. Always use a helmet that meets the safety standards.
Does the same apply to bicycles and scooters?
Not exactly. For a bicycle, the helmet is mandatory only for children up to 12, and for e-scooters a smaller fine applies. Motorcycles and mopeds have a strict regime, with an approved helmet mandatory for all riders.
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