A new bill proposed in Greece, backed by the Ministry of Finance, is set to revolutionize how the country enforces vehicle insurance and inspection compliance. According to reports from OT.gr, the legislation will allow the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) to conduct checks using digital systems.
This move directly implements an EU directive requiring vehicle owners to maintain car insurance. The innovation lies in the method of enforcement and the process for issuing fines. Previously, inspections were conducted every five to ten years or through random police roadblocks and physical inspections.
The proposed bill introduces an integrated digital system managed by the IAPR. This system will cross-reference online data approximately every two months to verify compliance. If violations are found, the system will automatically issue fines, according to OT.gr.
Data suggests a significant problem: approximately 500,000 vehicles are currently operating in Greece without insurance. The number of vehicles that haven’t passed inspection (KTEO) is unknown.
The system will draw data from multiple sources, including:
- The IAPR
- The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s vehicle database
- The Ministry of Citizen Protection’s stolen vehicle registry
- The Ministry of the Interior’s records of deceased individuals
- Lists of recycled vehicles from the Alternative Vehicle Management of Greece
- Records of insured vehicles from the Information Center of the Auxiliary Fund Insurance of Liability Arising out of Motor Accidents
The bill also includes a plan for graduated fines for owners who fail to pay road tax by December 31st each year. This aims to encourage prompt payment and compliance with the law.
