Athens taxi drivers began a three-day strike on Tuesday, joining a broader 48-hour nationwide strike on Wednesday and Thursday.
The action is a direct challenge to a new government bill that drivers argue threatens their livelihoods and the city’s transport stability.
The core conflict: The Green transition
At the heart of the protest is a mandate requiring all new taxi registrations in Athens and Thessaloniki to be Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) starting in January 2026.
The union (SATA) argues that with only 31 fast chargers currently operational in Athens, a “violent transition” to electric vehicles is impossible.
Drivers emphasize they have already invested heavily in modernizing fleets to meet Euro-6 standards and view the forced switch to EVs as an unbearable financial burden.
The “red line”: Private hire competition
Beyond environmental mandates, the bill permits Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) to operate more freely. Taxi operators view this as a “red line,” claiming it creates an unfair “equivalence” between private drivers and licensed taxi professionals who are subject to stricter state regulations.
Athens has one of the highest taxi densities in Europe. Approximately 13,600 to 14,000 yellow taxis are operating in the Attica region.
Fares are state-regulated. There is a “Flag Drop” fee, and two separate tariffs: Tariff 1 (Daytime within city limits) and Tariff 2 (Midnight to 5:00 AM or outside city limits).
Taxi licenses in Athens are “closed,” meaning the state does not issue new ones; they must be purchased or inherited from existing owners. This makes a license a significant private asset, often valued at tens of thousands of euros.
