New fines for fare evasion on public transport networks in Athens and Thessaloniki came into force on Saturday, as authorities step up efforts to reduce ticketless travel.
Under the new rules, passengers found traveling without a valid or validated ticket will face a fine of €100. For those eligible for reduced fares, the penalty has been set at €50.
The measures are part of a broader effort by the government to tackle fare evasion and strengthen compliance across public transport systems.
Option to Reduce the Fine
The new framework also includes an incentive for offenders to become regular users of the network.
Passengers who receive a fine can pay half of the standard penalty—€50 instead of €100—if they purchase an unlimited travel pass with a minimum duration of 30 days within 10 days of the violation being recorded.
Higher Penalties Than Before
The updated fines represent a substantial increase compared with the previous system.
Until now, passengers traveling without a ticket faced a penalty of €72 for a standard fare violation and €30 for reduced-fare users.
The new sanctions were introduced through a ministerial decision implementing legislation adopted earlier this year. The decision was officially published on May 28 and entered into force on May 30, 2026.
