Car Shipping to Greece from the UK: The Complete Guide

Why Ship a Car from the UK to Greece?

Greece remains one of the most popular destinations for British expats, retirees, and property owners — from Athens and Thessaloniki to the islands of Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes. Buying a vehicle locally in Greece is straightforward, but many UK residents prefer to bring their own familiar car, often one they have owned for years and that suits their needs precisely.

Post-Brexit, the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) means most UK-origin vehicles can be imported into Greece at 0% customs duty — a significant advantage over non-EU countries such as Turkey or the UAE. However, Greek VAT (24%) and a CO₂-based Special Consumption Tax still apply to permanent imports unless you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. This guide explains every stage: method choice, costs, taxes, documentation, and the two steps that trip up most first-timers — the Certificate of Conformity and the KTEO inspection.

For live pricing, schedules, and booking, visit our car shipping to Greece service page.

Which Shipping Method Is Right for Your Car?

Two methods are available on the UK–Greece route: RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) sea freight and Full Container Load (FCL) container shipping. The choice is driven primarily by vehicle type and condition

For a full comparison of sea freight methods, see our dedicated guides to RoRo car shipping and container car shipping.

Shipping to Piraeus: What You Need to Know About Greece’s Main Port

The Port of Piraeus is Greece’s principal deep-water port and the arrival point for the vast majority of UK-to-Greece car shipments. Located approximately 12 km south-west of Athens, it is one of the largest ports in Europe and the busiest passenger port in the Mediterranean. For vehicle imports, Piraeus is served directly by the RoRo sailings from the UK, with three departure dates per month.

A full breakdown of the Piraeus port process — what happens step by step from vessel arrival to vehicle release — is on our Piraeus car shipping page.

What about Thessaloniki?

For customers relocating to northern Greece, Macedonia, or the Thessaloniki region, the Port of Thessaloniki offers a more convenient arrival point than Piraeus, eliminating a 500+ km overland drive. Sailings to Thessaloniki are available from ShipCars — contact the team for current schedules and pricing as these operate less frequently than the Piraeus route.

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

The ShipCars quote covers port-to-port sea freight only. The full cost of getting a UK vehicle permanently registered and on the road in Greece includes several additional items — many of which depend on whether Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief applies.

For a broader picture of international shipping costs from the UK, visit our international car shipping costs guide.

Post-Brexit Customs Duty: What UK Car Owners Actually Pay in Greece

One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of shipping a car to Greece after Brexit is the duty position. The good news is that the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) preserved 0% customs duty on goods of UK origin — including vehicles — when imported into EU member states including Greece.

Does the TCA 0% duty apply to your vehicle?

To qualify for 0% duty, the vehicle must genuinely originate in the UK or EU under the TCA’s rules of origin. The V5C logbook is the primary evidence of UK registration, but origin under the TCA is determined by where the vehicle was manufactured and the percentage of locally sourced components — not just where it is registered. In practice:

• UK-manufactured vehicles (Jaguar Land Rover, MINI, Bentley, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, etc.) — typically qualify
• EU-manufactured vehicles registered in the UK — typically qualify
• Non-UK/EU manufactured vehicles (Japanese, Korean, US brands) registered in the UK — may not qualify for 0% duty; a 6.5% rate may apply

Your ShipCars customs agent will advise on your vehicle’s origin status. Always verify with a licensed Greek customs broker before shipping.

Greek VAT and Special Consumption Tax

Even with 0% customs duty, two additional taxes apply to most permanent vehicle imports into Greece:

• Greek VAT (ΦΠΑ) — 24% of the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value plus any customs duty. This applies regardless of the TCA duty rate, unless ToR relief is granted.
• Special Consumption Tax (Τέλος Ταξινόμησης / SCT) — a Greek registration tax calculated on the basis of CO₂ emissions and engine displacement. Rates range from 0% (for very low-emission vehicles) to over 20% for larger, higher-emission engines. Use the AADE online tax calculator to estimate SCT for your specific vehicle before shipping.

Transfer of Residence (ToR) Relief: How to Import Your Car to Greece Tax-Free

Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief is the most financially significant exemption available when shipping a car to Greece from the UK. For those who qualify, it eliminates customs duty, Greek VAT (24%), and Special Consumption Tax — potentially saving thousands of pounds.

ToR eligibility criteria for Greece

• You are permanently relocating to Greece (not a holiday home or temporary stay)
• You have lived outside Greece continuously for at least 12 months immediately before your move
• You have owned and regularly used the vehicle for at least 6 months before your relocation date
• The vehicle arrives in Greece within 12 months of your own arrival
• Only one vehicle per person qualifies for ToR relief
• The vehicle must be for personal use only — it cannot be sold or transferred for 12 months after registration

For official ToR eligibility criteria and the application process, refer to the AADE — Hellenic Customs Authority website.

Temporary Import: Bringing a UK Car to Greece Without Registering It

If you are spending an extended period in Greece but are not permanently relocating — for example, spending summers at a holiday home — you may be eligible for a temporary importation instead of a permanent import.

A temporary importation allows you to use a UK-registered vehicle in Greece for up to 6 months within any 12-month period without paying Greek import duties or registering the vehicle. Key rules:

• The vehicle must be registered outside Greece (UK registration is fine)
• The vehicle must be owned by the person importing it, or a close family member
• A Temporary Importation Permit must be obtained from Greek customs at Piraeus on arrival
• The vehicle cannot be used commercially or lent to Greek residents during the temporary import period
• The vehicle must be physically re-exported from Greece when the permit expires

A temporary importation does not require a Certificate of Conformity or KTEO inspection, as the vehicle is not being registered in Greece.

Certificate of Conformity (CoC): The Registration Step Most People Miss

The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is the most overlooked requirement in the UK-to-Greece car shipping process — and failing to plan for it can delay Greek registration by weeks or even months after your vehicle has cleared customs at Piraeus.

What is a CoC?

A Certificate of Conformity is an official document issued by the vehicle manufacturer confirming that your specific vehicle (identified by its VIN/chassis number) was manufactured in conformity with the EU type-approval that applied at the time of production. It is essentially the manufacturer’s guarantee that the car meets EU safety and emissions standards and is therefore eligible for registration within the EU — including Greece.

Why do I need one for Greece specifically?

UK vehicles were type-approved to EU standards before Brexit, and the standards themselves have not changed. However, the CoC is the Greek customs authority’s and KTEO’s documentary proof of that compliance. Without it, the standard Greek registration route cannot proceed. An alternative process involving individual technical homologation testing exists but is significantly more expensive and time-consuming — the CoC is always the preferred route.

How to get a CoC for your vehicle

• Contact your vehicle manufacturer’s Greek subsidiary or national importer directly — for example, Toyota Hellas for a Toyota, BMW Hellas for a BMW, Ford Greece for a Ford
• Provide your vehicle’s VIN (chassis number), registration, and make/model/year
• There is usually a fee — typically €50–€300 depending on the manufacturer
• Allow 2–6 weeks for the CoC to be issued and sent

KTEO Roadworthiness Inspection: What UK Cars Need to Pass

The KTEO (ΚΤΕΟ — Κέντρο Τεχνικού Ελέγχου Οχημάτων) is Greece’s mandatory vehicle roadworthiness inspection, broadly equivalent to the UK’s MOT. It must be completed after customs clearance at Piraeus and before your vehicle can be registered with Greek plates. KTEO centres are located throughout Greece, so the inspection does not have to take place in Piraeus — your vehicle can be released from the port and taken to a KTEO centre near your Greek address.

What does KTEO check?

KTEO covers brakes, steering, lighting, emissions, tyres, bodywork integrity, and general roadworthiness — similar in scope to a UK MOT. Most well-maintained UK vehicles that hold a current MOT pass KTEO without issue.

The one modification most UK cars need: headlights

UK headlights are designed to dip to the left, which is correct for driving on the left. In Greece (and all EU countries), traffic drives on the right, meaning headlights must dip to the right. UK cars presented for KTEO typically need either:

• Beam deflector stickers — adhesive masks applied to the headlight lens to redirect the beam (temporary solution, approximately £5–£15 per pair), or
• Headlight re-aiming — the headlamp units adjusted to dip right (permanent solution, typically performed by a Greek garage or main dealer before KTEO)

Right-hand drive (RHD) is fully legal in Greece — no steering conversion is required, and there is no restriction on RHD vehicles being permanently registered there.

Documents Required to Ship a Car to Greece from the UK

UK documents — prepare before shipping

• Original V5C logbook — keep with you; never send inside the vehicle
• Proof of ownership — Bill of Sale, purchase invoice, or equivalent
• Passport copy
• Proof of UK address — dated within 3 months (bank statement, utility bill)
• ToR Authorisation from AADE — if applicable; must be obtained before the vehicle arrives
• Pre-shipment condition report — free if ShipCars collects the vehicle; £35 if you self-deliver to port; required for comprehensive marine insurance

Documents ShipCars prepares on your behalf

• UK Export Declaration (customs export entry)
• Bill of Lading — required at Piraeus for vehicle release
• Cargo manifest / packing list

Greek-side documents — needed at Piraeus

• Original Bill of Lading
• Customs declaration (prepared by Greek customs agent)
• Original V5C and proof of ownership
• Commercial invoice / purchase document
• Passport
• ToR Authorisation (if applicable)
• Temporary Importation Permit application (if temporary import)
• Certificate of Conformity (CoC) — required for permanent registration
• Greek-valid insurance certificate

How to Ship a Car from the UK to Greece and Register It: Step by Step

1. Order your Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
   Contact your vehicle manufacturer’s Greek subsidiary or national importer with your VIN. Allow 2–6 weeks. This is the most important action to take early — it is the one document ShipCars cannot obtain on your behalf.
2. Apply for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief if eligible
   If you are permanently relocating to Greece, apply to AADE for ToR relief before your vehicle ships. Approval must precede the vehicle’s arrival at Piraeus — not after.
3. Arrange a Greek-valid insurance policy
   You need Greek third-party insurance for collection from the port. Arrange this before your vessel arrives.
4. Gather your UK documents and book with ShipCars
   V5C, proof of ownership, passport copy, proof of address (under 3 months), and ToR authorisation (if applicable). ShipCars prepares the UK export declaration, Bill of Lading, and collection logistics.
5. UK collection and port loading
   ShipCars arranges collection by trade plate driver (for running vehicles) or enclosed transporter (for non-runners, classics, and EVs). RoRo vehicles depart from the UK port of Bristol/Portbury. Three sailings per month.
6. Greek customs clearance at Piraeus
   Your licensed Greek customs broker presents all documents, pays applicable duties and taxes (unless ToR exemption applies), and arranges vehicle release. Customs at Piraeus may physically inspect the vehicle.
7. KTEO roadworthiness inspection
   Take the vehicle to an authorised KTEO centre. Fit headlight beam deflectors or have the lights re-aimed before your appointment. Most UK cars pass without other modifications.

Classic Cars, Non-Runners, and Motorcycles: What Changes?

Classic cars destined for Greece — particularly those heading to events in Attica, the Peloponnese, or the island of Corfu — are best shipped in a sole-use FCL container for maximum protection. Container shipping eliminates exposure to sea spray, temperature fluctuations, and the risk of minor contact damage that can occur in open RoRo car decks over a 14-day voyage. Visit our classic car shipping service page for specialist handling options.

Motorcycles

Motorcycles can be shipped alongside a car in a dedicated container or in a sole-use motorcycle container. RoRo is generally not available for motorcycles. For details, visit our motorcycle shipping page.

Non-running vehicles

A non-running vehicle must ship by container. A low-loader transporter collects it at the UK end. Declare the vehicle’s non-running status at booking — this affects pricing, loading logistics, and port handling arrangements in Greece.

Marine Insurance and Greek Vehicle Insurance

Transit (marine) insurance

ShipCars’ standard carrier liability covers loss or damage during transit up to a limited value. For comprehensive protection covering the full market value of your vehicle, two optional policies are available:

• Total Loss Cover — 1% of vehicle value plus shipping cost. Covers total loss from fire or major water damage.
• Comprehensive Cover — 1.5% of vehicle value plus shipping cost. Adds cosmetic damage. Limited to vehicles under 10 years old and requires a pre-shipment condition report.

A pre-shipment condition report is free when ShipCars collects the vehicle. If you self-deliver to the UK port, the report costs £35.

Greek vehicle insurance

Greek law requires valid third-party motor insurance before a vehicle can be driven on Greek roads. Your UK insurer’s European cover does not extend to Greece post-Brexit in the same way as pre-2021. Arrange Greek motor insurance before your vessel arrives at Piraeus — you will need it for port collection. Most major Greek insurers offer online quotes for RHD vehicles.

Pre-Shipment Checklist: Before Your Car Leaves the UK

• Certificate of Conformity ordered from manufacturer’s Greek subsidiary (allow 2–6 weeks)
• ToR application submitted to and approved by AADE (if applicable)
• Greek-valid motor insurance arranged for port collection
• Marine transit insurance confirmed
• Original V5C and all documents kept with you — never inside the vehicle
• Fuel level reduced to a quarter tank or below (RoRo requirement)
• All personal items, valuables, and removable accessories taken out of the vehicle
• Photographic condition record taken (all angles, close-ups of any existing marks)
• Vehicle alarm deactivated or dealer-coded to prevent triggering during shipping
• Valid UK MOT confirmed (required for trade plate collection by ShipCars driver)
• Spare tyre, jack, first aid kit, and warning triangle present in the vehicle
• Headlight beam deflectors purchased for Greek driving (approximately £5–£15 per pair)

Frequently Asked Questions: Car Shipping to Greece from the UK