Athens, Greece – Passengers caught riding public transport without a valid ticket in Athens and Thessaloniki will soon face significantly higher fines as part of a new government crackdown on fare evasion.
Under legislation passed by parliament on March 23, a flat €100 fine will replace the previous penalty of approximately €72 for travelling without a ticket on buses, the metro, trams, the electric railway, and trolleybuses.
Passengers entitled to reduced fares will be hit with a fixed penalty of €50. The new fines come into effect two months after publication in the Government Gazette, meaning they will apply from the end of May 2026.
Incentive for Compliance
Offenders who purchase an unlimited monthly travel card valid for at least 30 days may have their fine reduced by 50 percent, encouraging long-term use of the public transport system.
The measures form part of a broader push by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to boost revenue, intensify ticket inspections, and protect staff. Controllers have already stepped up unannounced checks across networks in both major cities.
Fare evasion has long been a challenge for Greek urban transport operators, depriving the system of much-needed funds and placing a heavier burden on honest passengers. The government hopes the higher penalties, combined with more frequent inspections, will deter dodgers and restore fairness.
This latest development follows earlier proposals that aimed to shift from variable penalties (often calculated as multiples of the ticket price) to fixed, more deterrent amounts.
Travellers in Athens and Thessaloniki are advised to always validate their tickets or passes to avoid the upcoming fines.