How do you convert a foreign driving licence in Greece in 2026?

mitos.gov.gr describes administrative exchange of a valid EU Member State licence (including associated EEA arrangements listed on the procedure) for an equivalent Greek category when residence and other conditions are met. Reasons include expiry handling, older form issues, or penalties applied on Greek territory, depending on the published case list. Fees and processing times appear on the official procedure page.

For selected third countries, Greek consular guidance (for example MFA notes covering US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, South African, and South Korean licences in that published list) describes exchange without theory and practical tests when ordinary residence, age, medical fitness, and “no second EU licence” rules are satisfied. Countries outside reciprocity usually mean Greek theory and practical exams. Always confirm the current YME / regional checklist for your passport and licence state.

Expect the original valid foreign licence, identity documents, residence evidence, photos, medical certificates where required, translations by accepted channels, and fee payments. Non-Greek nationals commonly show a residence permit or equivalent stay document that meets the minimum issuance-age rules the regional office applies. Ordinary residence in Greece is the jurisdictional hook: your address proof should match the regional unit you visit.

An AFM helps everyday life even when the transport desk focuses on licence paperwork. Stay status still sits upstream: EU certificate or residence permit.

Athens and Thessaloniki have denser public transport, yet many Attica suburbs and island winters still assume a car. Book medical appointments early; ophthalmology and pathology certificates expire on administrative clocks. If your foreign licence is already near expiry, start the exchange before you become uninsured on paper.

YME states that the ministry does not keep individual citizen licence files for casual email queries. Go to the regional Transport service that serves your home municipality.