The Corfiot and all things Greek

Importing Cars into Greece

Can we say from the outset that this is probably the subject that gets raised most by those wishing to come to Corfu or Greece in general. It is, without doubt, the subject that we have heard most rubbish spoken. It is also the subject that makes our blood boil more than almost anything relating to relocating in Greece.

Yes! you will encounter some serious bureaucracy and yes you will have to do some running about. However, the countless number of people, including ourselves, prove that it can be done legally.

Let us start with some of the things that you will be told by some who live hear. The usual thing is the high cost. I was told by one such person that the Customs Authority wanted to charge €3,000 to import his beaten-up van. I managed to stop myself from asking whether the individual thought that those of us present were totally stupid and gullible.

Another thing that will often be quoted is some vague EU directive about vehicle importation that Greece is apparently being fined on a daily basis for not complying with. This may be true but the fact remains that greece has a set of laws surrounding this subject and it is not, in our humble opinion up to the individual to choose which laws one obeys. In my opinion, you can guarantee that if you start hearing these or similar stories, the source is driving a vehicle that is illegally in the country.

You cannot, at the time of writing, you cannot insure a foreign registered car in Greece. If the source of information is a permanent resident in Greece and the vehicle concerned has been here in excess of one year, you can guarantee that it is uninsured.

Your intended length of stay is important, particularly if you take your UK registered vehicle with you. Perhaps a minor point, but do you feel happy driving a right-hand drive car in Greece? You cannot, at this point in time, legally keep a vehicle registered outside Greece in the country for more than six months.

We have heard stories of people who regularly take a ferry to Italy for the day from Corfu in an attempt to beat this regulation. We have also been told of some of these people who have failed to satisfy Greek Customs. As we have not met any such people we cannot vouch for any of these stories! We can say though, that if you deliberately flout Greek law, you will receive little sympathy.

In short, if your stay is going to exceed 6 months think long and hard about taking a UK registered car. We decided to take our car!

So, how does one get to import one's car from the UK legally? (I can only comment on the UK but I don't think it will vary from other EU full member states. I cannot put it more succinctly than British Consular Network in Greece!

Temporary Importation of cars by tourists
Visitors from other EU Member States, whose cars are registered in that EU state, are free to drive their vehicle in Greece for a period of six months without customs control. The vehicle registration document and proof of ownership is required. Travellers should at all times be able to prove to the authorities when the vehicle was brought into Greece. To qualify for a second period of tax free circulation: either both the vehicle and the owner should be out of Greece for at least 185 days or while the owner is away, the vehicle can remain at a sealed area designated by the Customs authority.The entitlement to circulate a vehicle on foreign plates is strictly personal, consequently only the wife/husband or children may use the car in addition to the owner. After the expiry of the period granted by the customs authorities, the person concerned will be required to either:

1. re-export the car,
    
2. seal it with the customs for a period of at least 6 months (but no more than 24 months) after which time, provided the owner can show that he/she has been out of Greece for at least 6 months during this time, another 6 month circulation period may be granted, or
    
3. clear it through customs.

Failure to conform to the provisions of Greek Law as above may result in the Greek Customs imposing fines for each extra day after the expired period. Such fines can be very steep and the vehicle may be confiscated. Under such circumstances, the vehicle will not be released to the owner unless he agrees to clear it through customs or export it from Greece. Further advice can be obtained from the Directorate for the Supervision and Control of Cars (DIPEA): Akti Kondyli 32, Piraeus 185 10, Tel 210 462 3615, 210 462 6325 and 210 462 7325.

Permanent import of vehicles – Change of residence certificate
European Union nationals, resident in another European Union state for at least two years, who decide to transfer their place of residence to Greece, are exempt from VAT and Registration currently levied in Greece on:

• cars (owned and used privately)

• pleasure craft

• motorcycles

• mobile caravans

Within one month from the date of importation, owners of such vehicles must appear in person at the nearest Customs Authority to request  exemption from payment of registration and VAT. The owner will then be granted special Greek registration plates. Vehicles entering Greece are also required to undergo a test at a Vehicle Technical Control Centre (KTEO). A VEHICLE IMPORTED UNDER THE ABOVE REGULATION may not be transferred, leased, pawned or lent, nor its use assigned in any other manner without prior approval of the customs authorities. In the event of transfer, lease, pawning, lending or assignment of the use of such a vehicle before the lapse of one year, the total amount of tax due shall be collected. A full list of requirements and more detailed information is available through the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance: Director of Customs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Amalias 40, Athens 105 62, Tel 210 324 5552 / 210 324 5587, www.gsis.gr.