Roundabout Priority Rules in Greece: Who Has the Right of Way?
Who has the right of way on a Greek roundabout, the vehicle inside the circle or the one entering? Learn the official KOK rule, how Give Way signs flip it, and the 4 Ministry exam questions.
Key takeaways at a glance
- On an unsigned roundabout in Greece (no Give Way or STOP sign), vehicles entering the roundabout have priority because they approach from the right.
- Most modern Greek roundabouts place a Give Way (P-1) or STOP (P-2) sign at each entrance, which gives priority to vehicles already circulating inside the ring.
- Using your right turn indicator when exiting a roundabout is mandatory under the Greek Traffic Code.
1. Why Greek roundabouts surprise international drivers
In the UK, France, Germany and most European countries, traffic circulating inside a roundabout automatically has the right of way. If you assume the same default rule in Greece, you risk a collision on the road and an immediate wrong answer on the Ministry theory exam.
Under Article 26 of the Greek Traffic Code (KOK), roundabouts do not have a special default priority rule. Instead, they follow the standard intersection rule: unless traffic signs state otherwise, priority belongs to vehicles approaching from the right.
2. Unsigned roundabouts vs roundabouts with Give Way or STOP signs
Because traffic inside a Greek roundabout flows counter-clockwise, vehicles waiting to enter the circle are positioned on your right. Priority therefore depends entirely on whether the entrance has a vertical sign:
| Roundabout Type | Who Has Priority | Legal Reason |
|---|---|---|
| No traffic signs at the entrance | Vehicles ENTERING the roundabout | Default priority from the right applies. Circulating vehicles must yield to cars entering from their right. |
| Give Way (P-1) or STOP (P-2) sign at the entrance | Vehicles ALREADY INSIDE the roundabout | Road signs override default right-hand priority and oblige entering drivers to wait. |
3. Lane positioning and signalling your exit (Questions #269, #270, #579)
The official question bank also tests how you position your car inside a circular junction and whether you must signal when leaving.
Frequently asked questions
Who is at fault in a Greek roundabout collision?
It depends on the signage at the entrance. If the entering road has a Give Way or STOP sign, the entering driver must yield. If there are no signs at all, the driver inside the roundabout had to yield to the vehicle entering from the right.
Is signalling mandatory when exiting a roundabout in Greece?
Yes. Official exam question #579 confirms that you must use your indicators when leaving a circular junction.
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