The Greek state is implementing significant changes regarding transportation for people with disabilities and large families in 2025. The new regulations simplify procedures, expand rights, and make public transport more accessible for all eligible individuals.
People with Disabilities (PwD)
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals include people with disabilities with a disability rate of 67% or higher, or those receiving disability benefits from OPEKA. Totally blind individuals and holders of a digital Disability Card marked with levels II or III are exempt from income limits.
What changes:
- Residency criteria are removed.
- The right to free or reduced transportation now extends to one accompanying person, if needed.
- Using the Disability Card for OASA, OSETH, KTEL, and Thessaloniki Metro is now simple with electronic or personalized card validation, without additional documents.
Practical use:
- Free travel on OASA, OSETH, urban KTEL, and the municipalities of Kos and Rhodes.
- 50% discount on intercity KTEL routes.
- Thessaloniki Metro requires topping up the ThessCard with zero fare.
- Accompanying persons can travel without separate validation when accompanying the eligible individual.
Large Families
Who is eligible:
Eligible individuals are large families and their members, according to existing legislation protecting large families.
What changes:
- Travel with OASA, OSETH, and KTEL becomes more flexible.
- Free or discounted tickets are supported depending on the policy of each transport service.
Practical use:
- Simple procedure for issuing travel passes through Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP) and relevant regional authorities.
- Tickets are valid for urban and intercity transport services.
These new regulations simplify the daily lives of people with disabilities and large families, reduce bureaucracy, and make access to all public transport easier.
See the Official Government Gazette (FEK) here
Read more about citizens’ rights here
Read more about the Disability Card here
Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3