Is a Child Car Seat Allowed in the Front Passenger Seat?

Using a child car seat in the front seat is allowed in Greece, but only under strict conditions. Greek legislation – and especially the new Highway Code (ΚΟΚ) of 2025 – sets clear rules for transporting children in cars, with the goal of maximizing safety. Using a proper child restraint system is mandatory, and violations can lead to fines and penalty points on your licence.

Below you’ll find what applies today, when a child seat can legally be used in the front passenger seat, and what changes with the new Road Traffic Code.

What Greek Law Says About Child Car Seats

Under the Greek Highway Code, children must always be transported in a child restraint system until they reach a height of 1.35 m or an age of roughly 12 years, whichever comes first. Simply using the car’s seat belt is not enough – the law requires an approved child restraint system, certified under ECE R44/04 or i-Size (UN R129) standards.

By default, the child seat must be installed on the rear seats, except in specific cases such as:

• The vehicle has no rear seat (e.g. some vans, two-seaters).
• The rear seat is already fully occupied by other child seats.
• The child is very small and the infant carrier (“carrycot” or baby car seat) cannot be safely installed in the back.

Failure to comply with the law on child restraints can lead to:

• A fine of up to €350, and
• Licence suspension for 60 days.

So the question is not whether a seat belt is “good enough” – it isn’t. The law requires a proper, certified child seat, correctly installed.

Under What Conditions Is a Child Seat Allowed in the Front?

Installing a child seat in the front passenger seat is allowed in Greece, but only if certain conditions are met and only when you cannot use the rear seat. Even then, it is not the recommended option from a safety perspective.

The key rules are:

1. Rear-Facing Child Seats (Infant Seats)

• If the child is in a rear-facing seat in the front passenger position, the passenger airbag must be deactivated.
• If you cannot switch off the airbag, you must not place a rear-facing seat in the front.

2. Forward-Facing Child Seats

• If the child is in a forward-facing seat in the front, the airbag may remain active, but:
• The front passenger seat must be moved as far back as possible, to maximize the distance from the dashboard and the airbag.

3. Proper Base and Installation

• The child seat must be installed with the correct base (ISOFIX base or seat belt install, depending on the model).
• You need to follow both the car manual and the seat manual closely.

Even if all these conditions are met, the front seat is still considered less safe in the event of a collision. Whenever possible, the back seat is always the better choice for a child.

Which Child Seat Should You Choose According to the Rules?

Child seats are divided into categories under two main standards:

• R129 (i-Size) – based on the child’s height
• R44/04 – based on the child’s weight

It’s more reliable to choose based on height or weight, rather than age, because children grow at different rates.

Choosing a Seat Based on Height (R129 / i-Size)

Typical height ranges for i-Size seats:

• 40–75/87 cm:
• Infant seat (“egg”/carrier).
• Always rear-facing.
• 61–105 cm:
• Start with rear-facing as long as the child fits properly.
• Only switch to forward-facing when:
• The child has outgrown the rear-facing limit of the specific model, and
• The seat manufacturer allows forward-facing for that height.
• 100–150 cm:
• Booster seat, ideally with backrest, using the car’s seat belt.

Practical tip: If your child is near the upper height limit of a category, choose a model with a bit more margin, so you don’t have to replace it again too soon.

Choosing a Seat Based on Weight (R44/04)

Under R44/04, seats are divided into weight groups:

• 0–10 kg: approx. 0–12 months
• 0–13 kg: approx. 0–15 months
• 9–18 kg: approx. 9 months – 4 years
• 15–25 kg: approx. 4–8 years
• 22–36 kg: approx. 8–12 years

Age ranges are indicative only. Always check your child’s actual weight against the seat’s limits.

What the New 2025 Highway Code (ΚΟΚ) Changes

The new Greek Highway Code (ΚΟΚ) 2025 tightens the rules and enforcement around child safety in cars. It essentially reinforces the existing requirements and adds more consequences for ignoring them:

• Higher fines for not using a child seat or using it incorrectly.
• No more informal “grace” for parents who claim the child “has grown and doesn’t need a seat anymore”.
• Parent education on child safety added to the driving school curriculum.
• More frequent checks, using cameras and vehicle monitoring where possible.

The message is very clear: violations that put children at risk will not be tolerated.

Practical Tips for Safe Child Transport

Beyond the legal obligations, a few habits make a huge difference in real-world safety:

• Read the manuals
• Carefully read both the child seat manual and your car’s manual. There are often vehicle-specific notes about airbags, ISOFIX points, and allowed seating positions.
• Install the seat correctly
• Use ISOFIX if your car and seat support it; otherwise, install with the seat belt exactly as shown in the instructions. A wrongly fitted seat can be almost as dangerous as no seat at all.
• Check for wear and damage
• Regularly inspect the seat shell, harness, and buckles for cracks, fraying, or damage.
• Never leave a child alone in the car
• Even “for a minute” is too long. Heat, cold, or unexpected incidents can turn that minute into a real danger.
• Replace the seat after an accident
• If the car has been involved in a crash, the seat should be replaced, even if it looks fine. Hidden structural damage can reduce its protective ability.

Conclusion: Front Seat Is Sometimes Legal, but Rarely the Best Option

A child car seat is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility for every driver. In some situations, using a child seat in the front passenger seat is allowed under Greek law – but only under strict conditions and with the right airbag settings and seat position.

The new 2025 Highway Code makes the framework stricter and sends a clear signal: no tolerance for violations that endanger children’s lives.

Stay informed, choose the right seat for your child, install it correctly, and always put safety first – even when it’s less convenient.