The Athens Ring Road traffic restriction — a vehicle circulation measure based on license plate numbers — remains in effect until Friday, 24 July, after which it will be suspended for the summer months. Introduced on 20 October 2025, the scheme applies within the boundaries of the ‘Small Ring’ (Mikros Daktylios), encompassing major arterial roads that encircle central Athens, including Leoforos Alexandras, Mesogeion, Syngrou, Peiraios, and Konstantinoupoleos.
How the system works
Under the current rotation system, vehicles with license plates ending in even digits — 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 — are permitted to drive on even-numbered calendar dates, while those ending in odd digits — 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 — may circulate on odd-numbered dates.
The restriction is enforced Monday through Friday. It does not apply on weekends, official public holidays, or days of general strikes by public transport workers. Drivers travelling exclusively along the outer boundary roads of the Ring — i.e., the perimeter avenues themselves — are exempt from the rule.
Summer suspension
Starting Saturday, 25 July, the odd-even circulation system will be lifted across central Athens. The measure is expected to resume this autumn, in line with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s scheduled implementation cycle.