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Planning on visiting any EU countries? With Brexit behind us and new rules in place, we can confirm that the vast majority of UK residents will NOT need any extra documents to hire a car in the EU.
When the UK left the EU in January 2020, we entered a ‘transition period’, which lasted until the end of the year. In that time, the UK and the EU agreed on post-Brexit rules for a lot of areas, including driving licences.
Renting a Car in the EU
In 2020, no-one knew if UK drivers would need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive – or to hire – a car in the rest of Europe once the transition period was over. Now we know:
If you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK
- You do not need an IDP in Greece, the EU, or in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (GOV.UK)
- For residents/living in Greece: GOV.UK’s Living in Greece guidance confirms “If you have a valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence you can drive in Greece without restrictions,” last update (1 August 2025).
Please Note
- An IDP only costs £5.50. You can purchase them at thousands of UK post offices. Find your nearest branch.
- No matter what country you’re in, you’ll always need your driving licence with you when you hire a car.
- Some Car Hire companies may still require an IDP - we recommend always checking rental terms.
- This information was correct on 1 August 2025. It’s always worth checking the GOV.UK ‘Driving abroad’ page to make sure nothing has changed since then.
FAQ
Do I need an IDP to drive in Greece with a UK licence?
If you hold a UK photocard licence and you’re visiting Greece, you do not need an IDP. Some rental companies may still ask for one, so check your booking.
