Athens Small Ring: restrictions in force through 23 July 2027
Restrictions apply Monday–Thursday from 07:00 to 20:00 and Friday from 07:00 to 15:00. Which vehicles qualify for a special permit and what applies to residents and older permits.
Athens' Small Ring traffic restrictions entered into force on Monday 12 October 2026. The measures will apply through Friday 23 July 2027, according to the Hellenic Police.
Within the designated zone, private passenger cars and private trucks with a maximum authorised mass of up to 2.2 tonnes may circulate on alternate days according to the final digit of the registration plate: odd-numbered plates on odd dates and even-numbered plates on even dates.
Days and hours
- Monday to Thursday: 07:00–20:00.
- Friday: 07:00–15:00.
The restrictions do not apply on Saturdays, Sundays or official holidays. They also do not apply on days when employees across all public transport services are on strike.
Where the boundary lies
The perimeter follows Alexandras, Zacharof, Mesogeion, Feidippidou, Michalakopoulou, Spyrou Merkouri, Vryaxidos, Ymittou, Ilioupoleos, Amvrosiou Frantzi, Andrea Syngrou, Chamosternas, Pireos, Iera Odos, Konstantinoupoleos, Achilleos, Karaiskaki Square, Karolou, Marni, 28is Oktovriou (Patision) and back to Alexandras. The roads forming the boundary are not subject to the restriction.
Vehicles eligible for a special sign
A special circulation sign can be issued through gov.gr for factory-built fully electric, hybrid-electric, natural-gas and LPG vehicles. It is also available for other EURO 6 vehicles:
- with emissions below 120 g CO₂/km under NEDC and first registered in the EU by 31 December 2020,
- or with emissions below 145 g CO₂/km under WLTP and first registered from 1 January 2021.
Permanent residents within the Ring use designated entry and exit zones and need a resident card issued by the City of Athens.
Special permits
Special permits issued for the 2023–2024, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 periods remain valid. For a new special permit, Hellenic Police accepts applications on working days from 08:00 to 14:00 at the Attica Traffic Police Directorate, 24–26 Theodorou Diligianni Street, fifth floor.
Core documents include copies of the vehicle registration and driving licence, a valid roadworthiness certificate and valid insurance, together with any additional documents required for the relevant category. The service provides information on +30 210 5284011 and at daktylios@astynomia.gr.
Violations
Hellenic Police says violations are penalised under Article 55(6) of Greece's Road Traffic Code (Law 5209/2025). Exemptions and the permit procedure are set out in the joint ministerial decision dated 9 October 2026, published in Government Gazette B 6130.
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