Athens, October 30 – Taxi drivers in Athens will stage a 48-hour strike on November 5 and 6, 2025, the Athens Taxi Drivers Union (SATA) announced on Thursday. The decision was made unanimously during an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting.
According to the union’s statement, the strike is a direct response to policies implemented by the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, under the authority of Transport Minister Christos Staikouras and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, which the union says severely harm the taxi sector – a vital pillar of urban and tourist transportation in Greece.
Government Policies Under Fire
The union accuses the government of ignoring the needs and legitimate demands of taxi owners and drivers while simultaneously serving the interests of ride-hailing companies that are “disorganizing the market, threatening the viability of professionals, and degrading services to citizens and visitors.”
SATA described the government’s strategy for the tourism sector as “growth-oriented” but argued it cannot rely on measures that marginalize and degrade the taxi industry.
“The transparency and pressure imposed by the European Union and the government, hiding behind individual interests and hollow agreements, cannot be accepted,” the union stated, calling on fellow drivers to mobilize for collective action.
First Phase of Broader Campaign
The 48-hour strike represents the first phase of an escalating campaign aimed at defending the rights of the taxi sector and reversing what the union characterizes as catastrophic policies.
This is not the first labor action by Athens taxi drivers in recent months. The sector has been engaged in ongoing negotiations with authorities over regulatory changes and competition from ride-hailing platforms.
Key Demands of the Taxi Sector
In its announcement, SATA outlined a comprehensive list of demands that taxi drivers are fighting for:
Electronic Taxi Vehicles: Immediate suspension of the mandatory transition to electric vehicles (EVs) for professional taxi use, scheduled for January 1, 2026. The union demands this deadline be postponed to 2035.
Ministerial Decision Repeal: Immediate withdrawal of Ministerial Decision 134328/20-8-2025 (Government Gazette B 4564), issued jointly by Ministers Staikouras and Kefalogianni.
Fair Taxation: Implementation of fair taxation based on official records and invoices (Point of Sale systems). The union proposes a tax-free threshold of up to 12,000 euros annually.
Ride-Hailing Platforms: Free distribution of ride-hailing platform licenses (ELC Taxi) to Individual Transportation Licenses without discrimination.
Compliance and Labor Protections
The union is also demanding:
- Full implementation of Law 4530/2018, which regulates the transportation work of ELC Taxi vehicles in comparison with ride-hailing vehicles with drivers, and clarification of required distinctions.
- Correct application of the digital platform for ELC vehicle contracts and creation of a registry for ride-hailing vehicles with drivers.
- Establishment of a minimum fare of 150 euros for 24-hour use of ride-hailing vehicles with drivers, with a minimum rental period of three times per day across all of Greece.
Impact on Athens Transportation
The planned strike is expected to significantly disrupt transportation in Athens, particularly affecting residents, commuters, and tourists who rely on taxis for daily travel and airport transfers. Athens handles hundreds of thousands of taxi trips daily, especially during the autumn tourist season.
No alternative transportation measures have been announced by the city or regional authorities as of Thursday evening. Public transportation options including the metro, buses, and trams will continue to operate normally during the strike period.
Background: Ongoing Tensions
The taxi sector in Greece has been in conflict with the government for several years over the liberalization of transportation services and the introduction of ride-hailing platforms. Taxi drivers argue that these platforms operate under different regulatory frameworks, creating unfair competition.
The government has defended its policies as necessary for modernizing Greece’s transportation sector and meeting European Union environmental standards, particularly regarding the transition to electric vehicles.
The November 5-6 strike follows similar labor actions earlier this year, when taxi drivers held shorter work stoppages to protest proposed regulatory changes. Those strikes resulted in limited concessions from the government but failed to address the core concerns of the union.
Union Warns of Further Action
SATA emphasized that the 48-hour strike is only the beginning of a broader struggle. If the government does not respond to their demands, the union has indicated it will consider additional and more prolonged work stoppages.
“This is the first step in a wider battle to protect the rights of our sector and reverse policies that are catastrophic for taxi professionals,” the union stated.
The Athens Taxi Drivers Union represents thousands of licensed taxi drivers operating in the greater Athens metropolitan area, including routes to Athens International Airport and the port of Piraeus.
Government Response Awaited
As of Thursday evening, neither the Ministry of Transport nor the Ministry of Tourism had issued an official response to the strike announcement. Government officials have previously stated they are committed to dialogue with all stakeholders in the transportation sector while pursuing modernization policies.
Travelers planning to visit Athens during the November 5-6 period are advised to make alternative transportation arrangements or allow extra time for their journeys. The strike coincides with the midweek period, which typically sees moderate tourist and business travel activity.
Source: https://www.athenstransport.com/2025/10/apergia-taxi-5-6-noembriou/
