Greece

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Road Haulage Operator Authorisation Required

Yes

Yes — Any transport undertaking established in Greece and engaged in road haulage by motor vehicle or vehicle combination needs this authorisation, regardless of the vehicle’s Maximum Permissible Laden Weight.

Who Can Hold the Authorisation

Natural persons resident in Greece who are EU/EEA nationals, persons of proven Greek descent, or third-country nationals eligible under Greece’s international commitments; or commercial companies incorporated under Greek law with a registered office in Greece.

Four Qualifying Conditions

Required for the authorisation — Good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and a genuine, stable establishment in Greece, matching the EU Regulation 1071/2009 framework used across the EU.

Financial Standing Threshold

Yes

Yes — Professional liability insurance from a private insurer legally operating in Greece, providing coverage of at least €9,000 for the first motor vehicle used, consistent with the figures used across the EU.

Authorisation Validity

Up to 5 years.

Consumer Protection

Yes

Yes — The Consumer’s Ombudsman (Synigoros tou Katanaloti), an independent authority established by Law 3297/2004, functions as an out-of-court mediator for consumer disputes and is recognized under the EU’s Alternative Dispute Resolution framework (Directive 2013/11/EU). It specifically covers a “Transport Services” area of activity, including road transport complaints.

Consumer Complaint Resources (For Movers Not Vetted as ITMs)

Yes

Yes — Consumers can contact the Consumer’s Ombudsman directly (public service phone line, email, or online contact form), noting that the Ombudsman mediates rather than imposes sanctions and only handles disputes arising within the prior year where no legal proceedings have begun. A separate general complaint channel is available through gov.gr, under the General Secretariat of Trade and Consumer Protection. The Greek European Consumer Centre (ECC Greece) additionally handles cross-border EU consumer disputes.

Industry Association

None dedicated — ΟΦΑΕ (Federation of Greek International Road Transport Operators) and ΣΥΝΔΔΕ&L (Association of International Forwarding and Logistics Companies) are both real, established bodies representing road freight and international forwarding generally, not household moving specifically.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Greece licenses movers under the standard EU-1071/2009 framework, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport issuing the road haulage operator authorisation to eligible natural persons or Greek-incorporated companies, applying regardless of vehicle weight class. The authorisation requires the standard four EU conditions, with financial standing evidenced through professional liability insurance rather than a bank guarantee or accountant certification specifically. On the consumer side, Greece’s Consumer’s Ombudsman is a genuinely independent, EU-recognized mediation authority with a dedicated transport-services remit, backed by the general consumer complaint channel through the General Secretariat of Trade and Consumer Protection. There is no dedicated Greek moving-industry trade association; the established bodies in this space represent general road freight and forwarding rather than household moving specifically.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers must:

1. Apply to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the road haulage operator authorisation.
2. Confirm eligibility as a qualifying natural person or a Greek-incorporated company with a registered Greek office.
3. Demonstrate good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and a genuine Greek establishment.
4. Maintain professional liability insurance of at least €9,000 coverage for the first vehicle, from a Greek-licensed insurer.
5. Renew the authorisation before its 5-year term expires.
6. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with Greek consumer protection law.
7. Retain authorisation, insurance, and consumer-compliance documentation as required for renewal and regulatory review.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

• Road haulage operator authorisation held from the Ministry of Infrastructure and TransportRequired
• Eligibility confirmed (qualifying natural person or Greek-incorporated company)Required
• Good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and Greek establishment demonstratedRequired
• Professional liability insurance in force (minimum €9,000 for first vehicle)Required
• Authorisation renewed before 5-year expiryRequired
• Consumer-facing practices compliant with Greek consumer protection lawRequired
• Authorisation, insurance, and consumer-compliance records retainedRequired