For those who rented a car in Greece, did you require an International Drivers License? If so, how quickly were you able to get it. Also, can you just purchase Third Party Liability from the rental company if your credit card covers the rest of your insurance needs?
TIA

Greece was the only place in Europe where I was ever asked for an International drivers licence. Get it

Dave thank you!

We got one just to be safe, especially since they have a different alphabet.

Ali thanks

I rented on 3 different islands and used my BC license. Also purchased 3rd party from the rental agencies.

Wayne great to know. Thank u!

My husband got the international license from bcaa. Also we rented a car in Santorini and paid cash lol, no credit card, no ID. we could’ve stolen the car or driven it off the cliff and they wouldn’t even know.

Jennifer thanks

We went to Greece without the International licence and it was a hassle. The rental place told us to say we lost it if we were pulled over. You get them from BCAA. Check their website bcaa.com

BCAA is really easy. Have your photos ready, fill out the form & they issue them while you're there.

Pam thanks. Turned it around in under 20 minutes

My first trip they gave me hell for not having one, denied me on the mainland and an island. Second trip, we came prepared and they did thorough checks. We used BCAA.

Jodi thank you!

Check with icbc about under insured policy…in case you get in an accident and it’s not your fault

Lin ICBC doesn’t cover 3rd party for Europe. May need to get it from the rental company. Thank yiu

I emailed the consulate about this and an internatioal license isn’t required. I emailed the rental agencies snd asked them and got varying answers. It only recently changed. I think it might be safer to just get the internatioal license, it seems a small price to pay to avoid some serious hassle.

Tania thank you. We got one to be safe

Easiest place I’ve ever rented a car. BC drivers license no questions asked. No stupid add ons. What they asked is what I paid. Easy peasy

Eric thank you!

BCAA quick easy and Cheap

Depends which company you use. The first one requires an international driver’s license second one didn’t

Leigh thank you!

Super easy to get from BCAA. My husband got his before we moved to europe for a year and it was simple, fast and I believe only $20.

We were in Santorini 3 years ago and did not need one but it could have changed or depends on the company

Jenna thanks. Looks like we need one. Especially if pulled over

Lea dang okay best to have one to be safe anyways

Just get one it's 25.00 at bcaa.

Cindy thanks. That’s what we did

Unfortunately you don’t need one unless you get into an accident. The police want to see one. Go to BCAA and for $25 you get one, takes 10 minutes. We worth it.

Randy yes...I did purchase at BCAA!

Randy thank you! That’s what we did

What about insurance? Did you get the extra insurance at the rental or used CC insurance?

Cheryl looks like we will need to only buy 3rd party from the rental co

Italy did not require one if you have bc licence as others said. My Visa card fine print covered insurance so cdw not required. Expensive anyway.

Tim thank you. Greece needs 3rd party so we will need to get it from the rental co the rest is covered by our card

The car company might not ask for it but the police will if you get pulled over or checked and not having one carries hefty fines, worth getting one just in case, it’s valid for a year

Ana thank you!

Wherever I go in the world I always get my international drivers license it’saved me a few times !! Just remember people : people don’t plan to fail they just fail to plan !!!

No used my Canadian one

Lisa thanks for the info!

Check to see if your credit card covers Greece and what it actually covers. I rent through autoeurope.ca and get their insurance.

We’re in Greece now. Get an International Driver’s License from BCAA before you go. It’s a requirement in Greece. People who don’t get one were just lucky they didn’t have an accident. Rental agencies and individuals are subject to huge fines if you don’t have one.

Alison great to know. Thank you!

We had one. $25 at BCAA. Takes 30 min including picture taking

Do you mean the third party liability you purchased at BCAA?

Jayne no. They don’t sell just 3rd party liability for a rental car

Any covid tests needed to get into Greece?

Linda no just vax proof

Lea did your BC vax proof work or need the federal one?

Jayne I believe you need the official Canadian Vax passport

You just go to bcaa. I can't remember if I needed to take a passport type photo with me or if they take it there.

Nola thanks! Yes we went. Just need photos, copy of back & Front of DL and a completed app form found on the BCAA site

When I got mine for Vietnam- BCAA at Cambie and Marine took my photos. $40, 20 min

Nola Either. I didn't have one so that took it there for me. The whole thing took about 10 minutes.

Bcaa cheap and no problem with rental anywhere in eu

Yes.
About 10 minutes at BCAA.
In our case, yes...but that may depend on the rental car company.

Always get an international driving licence. Its quick and easy.

Yes! I went to BCAA and got one within minutes, absolutely not hassles in renting.

So, am I correct in surmising that you do need to purchase the 3rd party insurance when renting the car in Greece? Avion visa does not cover (like in Hawaii)?

Jayne I believe Avion Visa does cover the collision/loss damage to your rental vehicle but not third part liability. The rental agencies will often make the third party coverage mandatory in your rental fees as they do not want to be liable for damage to another vehicle or injury to third party.

Betty thank you

So, the requirements in Greece used to be the International Driver Permit (available at BCAA). However that did change last year for Canadians with valid Canadian Driver License per article 25.3.G https://www.kodiko.gr/nom.../document/756782/nomos-4850-2021 Unfortunately only some Greek car rental companies or their insurance agencies seem to have recognized the change yet so there is plenty of confusion in Greece. Unless your car rental agency specifically tells you the International Permit is not needed, you would be best to have it. The Canadian government travel advisory site no longer lists the IDP as a requirement for Greece.
KODIKO.GR
ΝΟΜΟΣ 4850/2021 (Κωδικοποιημένος) - ΦΕΚ Α 208/05.11.2021

I say it’s like insurance, “you don’t need it till you need it”. I’ve rented cars all over Europe and have never been asked but I always buy one from BCAA because it’s a great souvenir. I’m told that the rental companies don’t care but if you get into an accident the police will want to see it.

We've never needed one anywhere in the world where we've rented a car including Greece, England, France, Spain, Italy, Israel, Portugal, or Japan.