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Greece faces vehicle license plate shortage, prompting digital reform
Greece is facing a severe shortage of vehicle license plates, leaving an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 new cars and motorcycles unable to be registered or delivered to customers. The scarcity has impacted various regions, including Athens, and has led to reports of a black market where plates are allegedly sold illegally for high prices.
The shortage follows the cancellation of an international procurement tender by the Court of Audit due to legal irregularities. While the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has attempted temporary solutions through direct negotiations and redistributing stocks between regions, the problem persists.
To resolve the crisis, Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotsiras is promoting a legislative overhaul to replace the centralized, slow procurement model with an open, digital system. This new system will feature a Register of Manufacturers and a three-step digital process: electronic application submission, automated verification/payment through existing government systems, and the issuance of a digital production order. The goal is to ensure transparency and prevent future bottlenecks caused by centralized tender delays.
Entities
Court of Audit · Giorgos Kotshiras · Giorgos Kotsiras · Greece · Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The reform aims to eliminate dependence on slow, centralized procurement tenders. myportal.gr · www.ot.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The reform is being promoted by Deputy Minister Giorgos Kotshiras. myportal.gr · www.ot.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The new process involves a three-step digital system: electronic application, automated payment verification, and digital production orders. myportal.gr · www.ot.gr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Court of Audit previously canceled an international procurement tender in March 2026. myportal.gr · www.ot.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is proposing a legislative reform to digitize the license plate issuance process. myportal.gr · www.ot.gr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A new Registry of License Plate Manufacturers will be established.