30 years
Minimum age
From first registration, not year of manufacture.
3 bodies
Historic certificate
FILPA and OMAE for cars, AMOTOE for motorcycles.
50–200 €
Road tax
Based on engine size for cars. €25 or €50 for motorcycles.
The rules
How to register your vehicle as historic in Greece
Under Law 4850/2021, in force since 3 April 2023, vehicles of historic interest receive state registration — a registration certificate and state historic number plates — once they pass a KTEO roadworthiness test and are entered in the Historic Vehicle Register of the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport.
The old “club plates” issued by bodies such as FILPA, ELPA, EOOE and OMAE belong to the previous system and are being phased out. The new system lifts the driving restrictions, in exchange for a roadworthiness test, insurance and reduced road tax.
The key requirement: the vehicle must be 30 years past its first registration anywhere in the world and must keep its original form.
The process
Five steps from the garage to the road
The order matters: without the historic certificate there is no special KTEO test, and without deregistration from the vehicle register no new licence is issued.
1
Check the requirements
Make sure the vehicle qualifies
30 years since first registration anywhere in the world, original form without major changes, and ownership papers in order.
2
Certification
Historic certificate
Apply to FILPA or OMAE (AMOTOE for motorcycles). The vehicle is inspected and documented in detail.
3
Roadworthiness test
Historic vehicle KTEO test
With the certificate in hand, the vehicle takes the required KTEO test and a test certificate is issued.
4
Registers
Deregistration and transfer
The vehicle is removed from the Vehicle Registration Register and entered in the Ministry’s Historic Vehicle Register.
5
Registration
Licence and state plates
The file is submitted to the Transport Directorate, which issues a new registration certificate and state historic plates.
What changes with state historic plates
- Drive any day and time, all year round, without the old system's restrictions.
- Reduced road tax based on engine size, instead of the standard scale.
- Official entry in the Historic Vehicle Register and a recognised vehicle identity.
- Mandatory insurance and periodic KTEO testing.
- The historic vehicle licence is valid for a limited period and must be renewed.
Watch the deadlines
The “old” historic vehicle plates can no longer be used from 1 January 2027 — military vehicles excepted. Vehicles certified before 3 April 2023 can transfer to the new register using the documents issued at the time.
Vehicles on old-style historic plates without a Greek registration (from scrappage, inheritance etc.) cannot join the new register.
Paperwork
Required documents
Certificate of historic interest
From FILPA, OMAE or AMOTOE, for certifications after 3 April 2023.
Proof of ownership
Greek registration certificate, customs clearance certificate or ODDY certificate.
KTEO test certificate
Issued under article 35 of Law 4850/2021.
Proof of deregistration
From the Vehicle Registration Register of the Ministry of Infrastructure & Transport.
Application and owner details
ID card, tax number (AFM) and a solemn declaration, as requested by the Transport Directorate.
Fees and insurance
The issuing fees, plus active insurance for the vehicle.
Certifying bodies
Who issues the historic certificate
FILPA
Cars and motorcycles. The oldest historic vehicle certification body in Greece.
OMAE
Hellenic Motor Sport Federation — certifies cars.
AMOTOE
Hellenic Motorcycling Federation — certifies motorcycles.
For vehicles certified before 3 April 2023, documents from the bodies responsible at the time are also accepted, with time limits per body (e.g. EOOE until 9/11/2022, ELPA until 31/12/2019).
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Does the year of manufacture or first registration count?
The date of first registration anywhere in the world counts. A vehicle becomes eligible 30 years after that date.
I already have club historic plates. What do I do?
If your vehicle was certified before 3 April 2023, you can get state registration by submitting the documents you received from the certifying body at the time, after a KTEO test and transfer to the new register. The old plates are abolished from 1 January 2027.
Will I pay road tax?
Yes, but reduced: €50 to €200 for cars depending on engine size, and €25 or €50 for motorcycles. Some categories of very old vehicles get further relief.
Are there any driving restrictions?
With state historic plates the vehicle can be driven any day and time, all year round. The restrictions of the old club-plate system no longer apply.
Can I certify a vehicle without a registration?
Not under the new rules. You need a Greek registration, a customs clearance certificate or an ODDY certificate; vehicles from scrappage or inheritance without title cannot join the Historic Vehicle Register.
Can I still take part in regularity rallies?
Yes. The vehicle can still take part in club events and regularity rallies, such as those run by LE.K.A.M., as long as it meets each event’s rules.