Greece

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Road Haulage Operator Authorisation Required

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. 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. Where a mover subcontracts the transport, the carrier’s own authorisation covers the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold the licences that transport requires.

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

Conditions of the authorisation: good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and an effective and stable establishment in Greece, matching the EU Regulation 1071/2009 framework used across the EU.

Financial Standing Threshold

Yes, as a condition of the authorisation. 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. 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. 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 established bodies representing road freight and international forwarding generally, not household moving specifically.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Greece licenses road haulage under the standard EU Regulation 1071/2009 framework, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport issuing the road haulage operator authorisation to eligible natural persons or Greek-incorporated companies, 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. These obligations attach to the company operating the vehicles: where a mover subcontracts road transport, the carrier’s own authorisation covers the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold it.

On the consumer side, Greece’s Consumer’s Ombudsman is an 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.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Company licensing (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

1. Hold the road haulage operator authorisation from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, as a qualifying natural person or a Greek-incorporated company with a registered Greek office, meeting the conditions of good repute, financial standing, professional competence, and Greek establishment, and renewing it before its 5-year term expires.
2. Maintain professional liability insurance of at least €9,000 coverage for the first vehicle, from a Greek-licensed insurer, as evidence of financial standing.

Subcontracted transport

3. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Customer practices

4. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with Greek consumer protection law.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Road haulage operator authorisation held from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, valid and within its term (conditions of good repute, financial standing, professional competence and Greek establishment met)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Professional liability insurance in force as evidence of financial standing (minimum €9,000 for the first vehicle)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Customer practices

• Consumer-facing practices comply with Greek consumer protection lawVerified by AffirmationRequired