Taxi services across the Athens metropolitan area will come to a halt on Tuesday and Wednesday as drivers launch a 48-hour strike, marking the start of what unions say could become a series of rolling walkouts if their demands are not met.

The strike, scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, and Wednesday, January 14, was announced by taxi drivers’ unions, which are protesting a range of regulatory and financial issues affecting the sector. Union leaders warned that the action could escalate into repeated 48-hour strikes depending on the government’s response.

At the center of the dispute is the planned mandatory transition to electric vehicles. Taxi drivers are calling for the deadline to be extended to 2035, arguing that the current timeline is unrealistic due to insufficient charging infrastructure, high electricity prices, and the cost of purchasing electric cars. They say the policy threatens the economic viability of many drivers rather than promoting sustainable transport.

Drivers are also demanding clearer rules governing the distinction between licensed taxis and private rental vehicles with drivers. According to the unions, taxis alone should be authorized to provide point-to-point transport, while rental cars with drivers should operate under stricter conditions, including a proposed nationwide minimum fare of €150 plus VAT, to prevent what they describe as market distortion.

Another key issue is competition from multinational ride-hailing platforms. Taxi representatives accuse authorities of tolerating unfair practices, claiming that international companies operate with fewer controls while local drivers face strict regulations and tax obligations.

The unions are also pressing for access to bus lanes for occupied taxis, arguing that taxis function as part of the public transport system and that excluding them worsens traffic congestion, increases travel times for passengers, and harms the environment.

On taxation, taxi drivers are calling for what they describe as fairer treatment, including an income tax-free threshold of €12,000. They say rising fuel prices, maintenance costs, and living expenses have placed the sector under severe financial strain.

Union leaders said future actions will depend on how the government responds to their demands, leaving open the possibility of prolonged disruption to taxi services in Athens in the coming weeks.