Athens, Greece – November 19, 2025 – In a significant move to support the nation’s volunteer firefighter organizations, the Greek government is introducing legislation to exempt their vehicles from road tax. This initiative, part of a bill from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, follows a collaborative effort between the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, and the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, George Kotsiras.
New Legislation to Ease Burden on Volunteer Organizations
The relevant provision, included in the Ministry of National Economy and Finance’s bill currently under public consultation, stipulates that private-use trucks, fire trucks, and water tankers belonging to non-profit private legal entities registered in the General Secretariat for Civil Protection’s Register of Volunteer Organizations will be exempt from road tax. This exemption is contingent on these vehicles being used exclusively for civil protection activities.
This specific regulation addresses a long-standing request from the Panhellenic Federation of Volunteer Forest Protection and Firefighting Organizations, as highlighted in an official announcement.
Minister Kefalogiannis: Fulfilling a Just Request
Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yiannis Kefalogiannis, stated, “Today, we are fulfilling a long-standing and absolutely just request from the volunteers who daily strengthen the civil protection mechanism. The exemption of their operational vehicles from road tax reduces the burden of their operations and facilitates their work in the field. From the very first moment I met with representatives of volunteer organizations, I personally committed that this specific issue would be addressed with seriousness and priority. Today, we are implementing that commitment.”
He further added, “By exempting their operational vehicles from road tax, we significantly reduce their operating costs and enhance their operational capacity in our common battle against natural disasters. We continue, with strategy and actions, to strengthen those who serve the common good.”
Impact on Volunteer Firefighter Operations
The road tax exemption is expected to provide substantial financial relief to volunteer firefighter organizations across Greece, including those operating in Corfu. These organizations play a vital role in disaster response, particularly during the intense wildfire season that frequently affects the country. By reducing operational costs, the government aims to enable these groups to allocate more resources directly to their core mission of protecting lives and property.
This measure underscores the government’s recognition of the invaluable contributions made by volunteer firefighters and its commitment to bolstering the country’s civil protection capabilities. The bill’s passage is anticipated to be widely welcomed by volunteer groups, who have long advocated for such support to sustain their critical services.
Next Steps: Public Consultation and Implementation
The bill is currently in the public consultation phase, allowing stakeholders and the public to provide feedback before its final approval and implementation. Once enacted, the new law will streamline the financial management for volunteer organizations, ensuring that their resources are maximized for emergency preparedness and response.
The Ministry of National Economy and Finance, along with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, will oversee the implementation of the new regulation, ensuring that all eligible organizations benefit from the exemption, provided their vehicles meet the specified criteria of exclusive use in civil protection activities.
This legislative action is part of a broader strategy to enhance the effectiveness of Greece’s civil protection mechanisms, recognizing that strong partnerships with volunteer organizations are essential for a resilient response to climate-related challenges and other emergencies.
Source: corfutvnews.gr
