Car Shipping Costs from the UK to Greece (Piraeus) — 2026 Prices

Shipping a car from the UK to Greece in 2026 starts from £790 via RoRo to Piraeus Port — and thanks to the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, most UK-origin vehicles qualify for 0% customs duty. But that doesn’t mean shipping to Greece is tax-free. Greek VAT at 24% still applies, Greece’s CO2-based Special Consumption Tax (SCT) can be the largest single cost at registration, and all imported vehicles must pass a KTEO technical inspection before they can be registered. This guide covers every cost, every tax, and every step — including how to avoid them with the Transfer of Residence exemption.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Greece in 2026?

What’s included: UK port handling, ocean freight to Piraeus, Bill of Lading, and UK export declaration (managed by Ship Cars Ltd). Not included: Greek customs duty, VAT (24%), Special Consumption Tax (SCT), KTEO inspection, Certificate of Conformity, and Greek customs broker fees — all payable in Greece.

Container shipping (FCL) is also available for high-value, classic, non-running, and electric vehicles — contact Ship Cars Ltd for a current container quote.

Do I Pay Import Duty When Shipping a Car from the UK to Greece?

For most UK cars — no. This surprises many buyers and it is the most important tax fact on this route.

Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), vehicles with UK or EU manufacturing origin qualify for 0% customs duty when entering Greece. For the majority of UK-registered cars, the V5C logbook is sufficient evidence of UK origin.

The standard EU duty rate of 6.5% of CIF value applies only to vehicles that cannot demonstrate UK or EU origin — for example, a Japanese car registered in the UK. If your vehicle was built in Britain, Germany, France, or elsewhere in the UK or EU, you qualify for zero duty.

Confirm with a licensed Greek customs broker (τελωνειακός πράκτορας) if your vehicle was assembled outside the UK or EU.

Source: Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) — aade.gr

What Is Greek VAT (ΦΠΑ) on an Imported Car?

Even where customs duty is 0%, Greek VAT (ΦΠΑ) at 24% applies to the vehicle’s CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight). This is the standard Greek VAT rate applied to all imported vehicles.

Example calculation on a £10,000 vehicle (UK origin):

• Customs duty (0% under TCA): £0
• Greek VAT (24% of CIF ~£10,000): approximately £2,400
• Special Consumption Tax (SCT): calculated separately — see below
• Total before SCT: approximately £2,400

Greek VAT is waived entirely if you qualify for the Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption — see below.

What Is the Greek Special Consumption Tax (SCT / Τέλος Ταξινόμησης)?

This is typically the largest tax burden when registering an imported UK car in Greece — and the one most buyers fail to calculate in advance.

The Special Consumption Tax (Τέλος Ταξινόμησης) is a Greek registration tax calculated on:

• CO2 emissions — the primary factor under the current schedule
• Engine displacement — secondary factor

SCT rates range from 0% for very low-emission vehicles to over 20% for high-displacement, high-emission cars. The actual amount varies significantly by vehicle. A large-engine SUV or performance car can face an SCT liability that exceeds both the freight cost and the VAT combined.

Before booking, calculate your specific SCT using the AADE online calculator at aade.gr — enter your vehicle’s CO2 emissions and engine size to get a precise figure. This step is not optional for accurate budgeting.

SCT is also fully waived under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption for qualifying relocators.

Who Qualifies for the Transfer of Residence (ToR) Tax Exemption in Greece?

If you are permanently moving to Greece from the UK, ToR can eliminate all three vehicle taxes — duty, VAT, and SCT.

The Transfer of Residence scheme exempts qualifying individuals from the entire vehicle import tax liability. For a mid-range car, this can save £3,000–£8,000 or more. For a premium or high-emission vehicle, the saving is significantly greater.

ToR eligibility criteria for Greece (all conditions must be met):

1. You must be permanently relocating to Greece — not a temporary stay
2. You must have lived outside Greece for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before your move
3. You must have owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months before your relocation date
4. The vehicle must arrive in Greece within 12 months of your own arrival in the country
5. One vehicle per person qualifies
6. A ToR Authorisation from AADE must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped — it cannot be applied retrospectively

Apply through the Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) at aade.gr. Engaging a licensed Greek customs broker to manage the application is strongly recommended.

Critical timing rule: ToR approval must be in place before the vehicle arrives in Greece. Applications submitted after arrival are not accepted.

What Is the KTEO Inspection — and Does Your UK Car Need It?

Yes — every imported vehicle must pass a KTEO inspection before it can be registered in Greece. This is one of the most important Greece-specific steps that most competitor content fails to explain clearly.

KTEO (Κέντρο Τεχνικού Ελέγχου Οχημάτων) is Greece’s national vehicle technical inspection — the equivalent of the UK MOT. Unlike the UK MOT, the KTEO for an imported vehicle is a registration requirement, not a periodic roadworthiness check.

What happens at KTEO:

• Safety, emissions, and roadworthiness assessment
• Identity check against documentation
• Takes place at an approved KTEO centre after customs clearance at Piraeus

What most UK cars need before KTEO:

Headlights must be adjusted or beam deflectors fitted. UK headlights are configured to dip left (for left-hand traffic). On Greek right-hand roads, they create glare for oncoming drivers. Fitting beam deflectors — widely available at petrol stations and auto parts shops across Greece — is inexpensive and takes minutes. Without this, the KTEO test will fail.

Most well-maintained UK-specification vehicles pass KTEO without any other modification.

Do I Need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to Register My Car in Greece?

Yes. A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the vehicle manufacturer is required to register a UK car in Greece through the standard process at the Regional Authority transport office (Διεύθυνση Μεταφορών). The CoC confirms the vehicle meets EU type approval standards.

How to obtain a CoC:

• Contact your vehicle manufacturer’s Greek subsidiary or EU importer directly
• Allow 2–6 weeks from request to receipt
• BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen Group, Ford, and most major manufacturers issue CoCs for Greek registration

Request the CoC as soon as you decide to ship — do not wait until after the vehicle arrives. Without it, the KTEO/registration process cannot proceed through the standard route, and alternative homologation testing is significantly more expensive and time-consuming.

Can I Ship a Right-Hand Drive UK Car to Greece?

Yes — UK RHD vehicles are fully road-legal in Greece without any conversion.

Greece drives on the right, but there is no prohibition on right-hand drive vehicles. After customs clearance and KTEO inspection (with headlights adjusted), UK RHD cars are registered and driven on Greek roads without restriction.

No steering conversion is required.

What Are the Temporary Import Rules for Greece?

If you are visiting Greece and not establishing residency, you can drive your UK-registered car in Greece for up to 6 months within a 12-month period without paying customs duty, VAT, or SCT. The vehicle must:

• Remain registered in the UK
• Be owned by you or a direct family member
• Not be sold, loaned, or used for commercial purposes in Greece

Beyond 6 months in a 12-month period, permanent import becomes mandatory.

What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Car to Greece from the UK?

UK export documents (before sailing):

• Original V5C logbook — critical for 0% duty eligibility; do not leave in the vehicle
• Passport copy — photo page of vehicle owner
• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement under 3 months old
• Purchase invoice — proof of vehicle value
• ToR Authorisation — if claiming ToR exemption (must be pre-approved by AADE)

Ship Cars Ltd handles the UK export declaration on your behalf.

Piraeus customs documents:

• Original Bill of Lading
• Original V5C logbook
• Commercial invoice
• Marine insurance certificate
• Passport copy
• ToR Authorisation (if applicable)
• Certificate of Conformity (for subsequent KTEO and DΜΤ registration)

→ Full export checklist: Documents Required for Exporting a Vehicle from the UK

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Handle UK-to-Greece Shipments?

Ship Cars Ltd manages the complete UK-side process for every Greece shipment:

• UK-wide vehicle collection — trade plate driver (MOT required) or transporter from any UK postcode
• UK export customs declaration — filed on your behalf
• Three sailings per month to Piraeus — 14–15 days sea transit
• Container shipping (FCL) — available for classics, non-runners, and EVs
• Post-Brexit guidance — 0% duty eligibility, ToR application timing, CoC advice
• KTEO and CoC briefing — Ship Cars Ltd advises on what you need to arrange before shipping
• Marine insurance:
  • Total Loss Cover: 1% of declared vehicle value
  • Comprehensive Cover: 1.5% (vehicles under 10 years; condition report required — free with collection, £35 if self-delivered)

Get your free Greece shipping quote → — response within 24 hours Contact Ship Cars Ltd → | Tel: 01495 320540

Pre-Booking Checklist — Greece

• Is your vehicle UK or EU origin? (Needed for 0% customs duty under TCA)
• Have you calculated your SCT on the AADE calculator at aade.gr?
• Are you permanently relocating? If so, have you applied for ToR Authorisation from AADE? (Apply before shipping)
• Have you requested a Certificate of Conformity from your manufacturer? (Allow 2–6 weeks)
• Is your vehicle driveable for RoRo? (EVs/PHEVs must use container)
• Have you reduced fuel to under a quarter tank and cleared all personal belongings?

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping Costs UK to Greece 2026

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Greece in 2026?

RoRo shipping from the UK to Piraeus starts from £790 for a standard small car and £890 for a large car. These are port-to-port sea freight costs only. Greek VAT (24%), Special Consumption Tax (SCT), KTEO inspection, Certificate of Conformity, and customs broker fees are all payable separately in Greece unless you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption.

Do I pay import duty when shipping a car from the UK to Greece post-Brexit?

No — for most UK-origin vehicles. Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), vehicles with UK or EU manufacturing origin qualify for 0% customs duty when entering Greece, provided origin is evidenced by the V5C logbook. The standard EU rate of 6.5% applies only to vehicles that cannot prove UK or EU origin. Verify with a licensed Greek customs broker for your specific vehicle.

What is the Greek Special Consumption Tax (SCT) and how do I calculate it?

The Special Consumption Tax (Τέλος Ταξινόμησης) is calculated on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions and engine size. Rates range from 0% for very low-emission vehicles to over 20% for high-displacement, high-emission cars. Calculate your specific SCT before committing to ship using the AADE online calculator at aade.gr — enter your vehicle’s CO2 emissions and engine capacity to get a precise figure.

Who qualifies for the Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption in Greece?

ToR exempts qualifying individuals from customs duty, VAT (24%), and SCT. To qualify: permanently relocating to Greece, lived outside Greece for at least 12 consecutive months, owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months, vehicle arrives within 12 months of your arrival, and one vehicle per person. Apply through AADE at aade.gr before shipping — ToR cannot be applied retrospectively.

What is KTEO and does my imported UK car need it?

Yes — every imported vehicle must pass a KTEO (Κέντρο Τεχνικού Ελέγχου Οχημάτων) technical inspection — Greece’s MOT equivalent — before registration. This takes place after customs clearance at Piraeus. Most UK-spec vehicles pass without modification. Headlights must be adjusted or beam deflectors fitted before the test. KTEO centres are found across Greece.

Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Greece?

Yes — UK right-hand drive vehicles are fully road-legal in Greece without any steering conversion. Headlights must be adjusted or beam deflectors fitted before the mandatory KTEO inspection. No other modification is required for a standard UK-spec vehicle.

All prices are indicative RoRo sea freight costs for standard vehicles and subject to change. Greek VAT, SCT, and ToR eligibility criteria are subject to change. Verify current figures with the Greek Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) at aade.gr. DVLA export guidance: gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk. Last verified: October 2026.

Related reading on ShipCars.co.uk:

• Car Shipping to Greece — Full Route Guide
• Car Shipping to Piraeus
• Car Shipping to Italy
• Car Shipping to Cyprus
• Car Shipping to Malta
• Car Shipping to Spain
• Classic Car Shipping Services
• RoRo vs Container Car Shipping
• Complete Guide to Import Duties When Shipping a Car Overseas
• International Car Shipping Costs from the UK