Travel tips · Updated 13 October 2026 · 8 min read
Car seat law in Greece (2026): Crete car hire, taxis and transfers with a baby
In Greece, children under 135 cm must travel in an approved car seat or booster, children under 12 may not sit in the front without one, and the fine is EUR 350 plus 30 days without your driving licence. These rules come from the new Road Traffic Code, Law 5209/2025, in force since September 2025. Taxis are the one exception: a child may ride without a seat, but only in the back.
| Law | Road Traffic Code, Law 5209/2025 (in force since September 2025), plus Ministerial Decision 43917/5066/2006 |
|---|---|
| Who needs a seat | Children under 135 cm: approved car seat or booster. 135 to 150 cm: seat belt allowed |
| Front seat | No child under 12 in front unless in an approved restraint |
| Airbag | Never a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag |
| Taxis | Child seat not required, but then the child must sit in the back with a belt |
| Standards | ECE R44/03, R44/04 or i-Size (UN R129) |
| Fine | EUR 350 plus 30 days' removal of licence and registration papers |
Car seat law in Greece: what changed in 2025
Greece replaced its old Road Traffic Code (Law 2696/1999) with Law 5209/2025, published on 13 June 2025. Most of it took effect in mid-September 2025. Many guides still quote the old law, older fines of around EUR 80, or a discount for paying early. Those figures are out of date.
The rules work in two layers. The new Code sets the general duty to use child restraints, the front-seat rule and the fines. The detailed thresholds, the airbag rule, the approved standards and the taxi exception come from Ministerial Decision 43917/5066/2006, which the new Code keeps in force.
Height, not age, decides
- Under 135 cm: an approved child restraint (car seat or booster) suited to the child's height and weight.
- 135 to 150 cm: an approved child restraint or the adult seat belt.
- The age of 12 matters only for the front seat (see below). "Under 12 or under 135 cm" is a common mix-up.
Front seat and airbags
A child under 12 may not sit next to the driver unless they are in an approved restraint suited to their age, height and weight. A rear-facing seat must never be fitted in front of an active frontal airbag; switch the airbag off or use the back seat.
Taxis: the one exception
Greek rules allow children to travel in a taxi without a child seat. If the taxi has no seat, the child must sit in the back, not in the front, and wear the seat belt. Taxis are not obliged to carry child seats. The exception covers taxis only; we found nothing extending it to private transfers or minibuses, so treat those as needing a proper seat.
Legal is not the same as safe. A baby on a lap or in an adult belt is not protected in a crash, so book a seat for every journey, including the short ride from the airport.
Fines
- First offence: EUR 350 and 30 days' removal of the driving licence and the car's registration papers.
- Second offence within five years: EUR 1,000 and 180 days.
- Third offence: EUR 2,000 and one year.
Car seats for rental cars in Crete
Most families hire a car in Crete, and there are three ways to get a seat into it.
| Option | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rent from the car hire company | Simple, one booking | Model, age and standard often unknown until the desk; you usually fit it yourself; availability not always guaranteed in peak season |
| Bring your own | You know the seat and how it fits | Heavy with luggage and a baby; can be damaged in the hold; check it suits the rental car (Isofix points, belt length) |
| Rent from a baby gear service | Choose an i-Size seat for your child's size in advance; cleaned between rentals; can be fitted for you | Book ahead in July and August |
If you rent a seat from the car hire desk, ask in advance which model it is, which standard it meets (R129 or R44) and whether the car has Isofix. Check the seat on arrival: the label, the harness, the buckle, and that it comes with any base or leg it needs.
Taxis and transfers with a baby
Taxis wait outside Heraklion and Chania airports, but you cannot count on a random taxi having the right seat for a baby or toddler. If you are not driving, you have two good options:
- Pre-book a transfer or taxi with a seat. When you book, give your child's age, weight and height, and ask whether the seat is rear-facing for a baby, which standard it meets, and whether the driver fits it or you do.
- Bring or rent your own belt-fitted seat. Many taxis do not have Isofix, so a seat that can be installed with the adult seat belt is the most flexible choice for taxi journeys.
If you will use taxis for the whole stay, for example in Heraklion city or Chania town, a belt-fitted seat that you keep with you is often easier than asking for a seat on every ride.
i-Size (R129) vs R44: what is the difference?
There are two approval standards you will see on seats in Europe:
- i-Size (UN R129) is the newer standard. Seats are chosen by your child's height, side-impact testing is included, and babies must travel rear-facing until at least 15 months. Many i-Size seats fit with Isofix, which reduces fitting mistakes.
- R44 is the older standard, based on weight groups. New R44 seats can no longer be sold in the EU, but existing seats can still be used. If a rental seat is R44, check it is in good condition and suits your child's weight.
If you have the choice, pick i-Size. The orange approval label on the seat shows which standard it meets and the height or weight range.
Isofix or seat belt?
Isofix connects the seat directly to anchor points in the car. It is quicker to fit and less prone to errors than a belt installation. Most modern rental cars in Crete have Isofix points in the rear seats, but older or budget models may not, so confirm when you book your car.
Which seat for which age and height?
These are typical ranges. Always follow the label and the manufacturer's instructions for the specific seat.
| Child | Seat type | Typical i-Size range |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn to around 12-15 months | Infant carrier, rear-facing | Approx. 40-75 cm or up to 87 cm |
| Around 6 months to 4 years | Toddler seat, rear-facing then forward-facing | Approx. 61-105 cm |
| Around 3.5 to 12 years | High-back booster with adult belt | Approx. 100-150 cm |
Keep your child rear-facing for as long as the seat allows. Move up a stage when they reach the seat's height or weight limit, not because of their age alone.
Flying to Crete with a car seat
Many airlines carry a car seat and a stroller in the hold without extra charge, and some allow an approved seat to be used on board if you have bought a seat for your child. Policies differ by airline and change from time to time, so check your airline's rules before you fly. If you check a seat in, use a padded bag, and inspect it carefully on arrival for cracks or damage. A seat that has been dropped hard may not be safe.
Arriving at Heraklion Airport? Our guide to Heraklion Airport with a baby covers getting from the plane to your hotel.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting a rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat with the airbag switched on.
- Bulky jackets under the harness (rarely an issue in a Cretan summer, but common on early morning flights).
- Loose harness straps: you should not be able to pinch any slack at the shoulder.
- Using a seat without its base, leg or top tether when the instructions require it.
- Holding a baby on your lap "just for a short trip". Short trips on busy holiday roads need a seat too.
Rent an i-Size car seat in Crete
Holiday Stork rents i-Size car seats for babies and toddlers from €7.80 per day, VAT included, with a minimum rental of 4 days. We meet you in Heraklion Airport arrivals, track your flight and fit the seat in your rental car at hand-over. Every seat is steam-cleaned after each rental. Delivery is €13 per booking for Heraklion Airport, Heraklion city and north coast resorts from Agia Pelagia to Malia, and €26 elsewhere in Crete (€32 in the Chania region). Add a stroller or travel cot to the same booking, and read our Crete with a baby guide for more planning tips.
Sources
- Law 5209/2025, Road Traffic Code (ΦΕΚ Α' 100/13.06.2025), articles 16, 37, 108 and 110: article 16, article 37
- Ministerial Decision 43917/5066/2006 (ΦΕΚ Β' 1468/04.10.2006): official text
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport: consolidated Road Traffic Code
