Can I carry a child without a car seat?
Not under the threshold: the child needs an approved restraint. Under the new Road Code (Law 5209/2025), children under 12 or under 1.35 m must be carried in a suitable, approved restraint (car seat or booster), matched to their height and weight (rear-facing infant carrier → forward-facing harness → booster). A rear-facing seat isn't placed in a seat with an active airbag — the airbag must be deactivated. The offence falls in the serious category E3-B. In short: up to 12 or 1.35 m, the child travels in a suitable seat — an adult belt isn't enough.
📋 The rules
- Under 12 or under 1.35 m: a restraint
- Seat/booster matched to height and weight
- Rear-facing seat: deactivate the airbag
- Approved restraint, properly fitted
- Offence: serious category E3-B
🔓 Exceptions
- Child over the threshold: adult belt, properly adjusted
- Rear-facing seat in front: only with the airbag off
- The exact height threshold should be confirmed against signage/law
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Not using a suitable restraint for a child is fined €350 and removal of licence and registration documents for 30 days. Beyond the fine, the real risk is the child's safety: without a suitable seat, in a collision the adult belt or lack of restraint can cause serious injury. To stay compliant: choose an approved seat matched to height and weight, fit it correctly, keep the child in a seat/booster up to 12 or 1.35 m, and if you use a rear-facing seat in a front seat, deactivate the airbag.
📎 Official sources
- Law 5209/2025 · carrying children →
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport →
- Hellenic Police — traffic →
❓ Frequently asked
Up to what age is a car seat needed?
Children under 12 or under 1.35 m must be carried in an approved restraint, a car seat or booster. The exact height threshold may also be cited as 1.50 m in some sources, so confirm against the law and signage.
Can the child sit in front?
With care. A rear-facing seat isn't placed in a seat with an active airbag; the airbag must be deactivated. Generally, the safest place for the child seat is the rear seat, especially for infants and young children.
What fine do I risk?
Not using a suitable restraint is fined €350 and removal of licence and registration documents for 30 days. Beyond the fine, the main stake is the child's safety in case of an accident.
Is an adult belt enough?
No, until the child exceeds the age or height threshold. Until then, a suitable car seat or booster is needed so the belt passes correctly across the body and doesn't injure them in a collision. The adult belt alone isn't enough.
How do I choose the right seat?
The seat must be approved and matched to the child's height and weight: rear-facing infant carrier/seat, then a harness seat, and finally a booster. Fit it correctly per the instructions and check it's secure before every trip.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “child car seat age 12”
- “child car seat height 1.35”
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- “child restraint car”
- “child in front seat”