Can I skip wearing a seatbelt?
No: the seatbelt is mandatory in all seats. Under the new Road Code (Law 5209/2025), the belt is mandatory in every seat, front and rear, for all occupants. The driver is legally responsible for passengers being belted — they can be fined even if personally belted. The driver's no-belt offence falls in the serious category E3-B. There are no usual exceptions for rear passengers; rare medical exceptions must be documented. In short: wear your belt wherever you sit — it saves your life and avoids a fine.
📋 The rules
- Belt mandatory in all seats, front and rear
- The driver is responsible for the passengers
- Driver's offence: serious category E3-B
- No usual exception for rear passengers
- Medical exceptions: only with documentation
🔓 Exceptions
- Medical reasons with official documents: a rare exception
- Children: special rules with a car seat
- Certain vehicles specifically provided by law
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A driver not wearing a belt is fined €350 and a 30-day licence withdrawal. A passenger (even in the rear) without a belt brings a €150 fine, charged to both the passenger and the driver. On a repeat, the driver's penalties escalate (€1,000 and 180 days, then €2,000 and 1 year). Beyond the fine, the real risk is in a crash: a rear passenger without a belt can be thrown forward and seriously injure the front occupants too. To stay compliant and safe: wear your belt regardless of seat, make sure all passengers wear theirs and, for children, use a suitable car seat.
📎 Official sources
- Law 5209/2025 · the new Road Traffic Code →
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport →
- Hellenic Police — traffic →
❓ Frequently asked
Is the seatbelt mandatory in the rear?
Yes. Under the new Road Code, the seatbelt is mandatory in all seats of the vehicle, front and rear, for all occupants. There are no usual exceptions for rear passengers, and not wearing a belt is sanctioned.
Who pays if the rear passenger has no belt?
A passenger without a belt brings a €150 fine, charged to both the passenger and the driver. The driver is legally responsible for the passengers being belted, so liability is shared and sanctioned on both sides.
How much is the driver's fine?
A driver not wearing a belt is fined €350 and a 30-day licence withdrawal. On a repeat, penalties escalate, reaching €1,000 and 180 days, then €2,000 and 1 year of withdrawal.
Are there exceptions from the belt?
Exceptions are rare and must be documented, e.g. for certain people with proven medical reasons or for special vehicles provided by law. Otherwise, the belt is mandatory for everyone, and children use a car seat.
Why does the rear belt matter?
In a crash, a rear passenger without a belt can be thrown forward with great force, seriously injuring themselves and the front occupants too. The belt greatly reduces the risk of serious injury, so it's just as important as in front.
🔎 Common searches
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