Living in #Crete :: #Car Tax, #Ex-pats Pay More !!!

Living in #Crete as an ex-pat is one thing but visiting on Holiday is another, especially when you only drive your Greek registered car in Crete on your vacation. The police in Crete are now working more closely with the Economics Ministry in Athens to keep a check on vehicles being driven around the island being up-to-date with all their documentation from car tax to insurance.

In brief, the respective ministries have linked their computer systems. The local police can now check number plates with their photo capture guns to determine if the annual car tax has been paid: that the MOT test (KTEO) and vehicle exhaust tests are up to date, and I believe the insurance is covered as well. If not, it soon will be. I am sure this is following some EU directive or other. British ex-pats and visitors know well the electronic form of road surveillance system used in Britain is a very effective revenue earner for the government.

Car/Vehicle Insurance Now Affected

The latest revenue generation twist affecting an estimated third of all cars on the road relates to insurance renewal. It has been somewhat traditional for car insurance to be renewed every six months in Greece.  But with the economic crisis in Greece biting so hard into the family budget, many small vehicle owners are turning in their number plates, or simply driving without insurance.

The subsequent huge loss of revenue to the central government's coffers has now meant a fresh edict effective from mid April 2013 from the tax department which catches absolutely everyone with a car in the revenue net year round.  All private cars must be insured for 12 months. In other words vehicles cannot be laid up, say for the holiday home owners who have bought a car and only stay in Greece for the summer months and garage their vehicles through the winter months. With the latest edict it means those home owners are caught in this revenue squeeze as well.

This is a general set of comments about driving in Crete as an ex-pat living on Crete, or as a holiday home user. I do not know what fines or penalties are imposed but the slightest speeding infraction carries a 60 euros penalty these days, issued by a ticket on the spot. If paid within 10 days there is a rebate. This can be negotiated!!! Make sure your car tax, MOT, car exhaust and insurances are all to date. If caught for not have the up to date papers, it is not worth the bureaucratic hurdles you have to go through for a minimal fine you'll have to pay.

Hope that is helpful.

GeraldinCrete

Photo: Ex-pats and visitors need the car to get to scenic Milatos, on the north coast of Lassithi a popular and secluded, resort destination. Photo Credit - Gerald Brown of the ex-pat website, www.britsincrete.net .