wiki143 - User contributions [en]

Thomen Stauch

2025-05-15T12:00:08Z

195.167.26.98:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Short description|German drummer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Thomen Stauch
| image = Thomen Stauch 1.jpg
| caption = Stauch on stage (2003)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|3|11|df=y}}
| birth_name = Thomas Stauch
| birth_place = [[Krefeld]], West Germany<ref name="bio" />
| alias = The Omen
| occupation = Drummer
| genre = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[Power metal]]}}
| years_active = 1985–present
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Savage Circus]]|[[Coldseed]]}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Blind Guardian]]|[[Iron Savior]]|Serious Black}}
}}

'''Thomas''' "'''Thomen'''" '''Stauch''' (born 11 March 1970),<ref name="bio">{{Cite web |title=Blind Guardian - Band Members |url=https://www.blind-guardian.com/band_members_thomas.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=blind-guardian.com |archive-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804191129/https://www.blind-guardian.com/band_members_thomas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> also known by his nickname '''The Omen''', is a German [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] drummer, best known as the co-founder and former drummer of [[Blind Guardian]].

== Biography ==

He began his career in 1984 with the band Lucifer’s Heritage, performing drums on their 1985 demo, [[Symphonies of Doom]]. After changes in the lineup, the band renamed itself Blind Guardian in 1987.

Stauch left Blind Guardian in April 2005, citing dissatisfaction with the direction the band had taken in its later years. His final releases with the band were the 2002 studio album ''[[A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album)|A Night at the Opera]]'' and the live album ''[[Imaginations Through the Looking Glass]]''.

In 2004, while still with Blind Guardian, he formed [[Savage Circus]] with friend [[Piet Sielck]]. Piet introduced him to [[Persuader (band)|Persuader]] vocalist Jens Carlsson and guitarist Emil Norberg, who completed the band's lineup. They released their debut album ''[[Dreamland Manor]]'' in August 2005. Due to health issues that caused him to miss too many gigs, Thomen left the band on 17 August 2007 but rejoined the lineup in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thomenstauch.com/NEWS.htm|title=Thomen Stauch official website|date=20 April 2012|accessdate=20 February 2013|archive-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627141048/http://www.thomenstauch.com/NEWS.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Stauch has also contributed to other projects, including [[Iron Savior]] and Serious Black.

Stauch joined the band Seelenzorn in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seelenzorn.com/index.php?newsid=43 |title=Seelenzorn |publisher=Seelenzorn |date=19 September 2008 |accessdate=28 October 2011 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194852/http://www.seelenzorn.com/index.php?newsid=43 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has also played drums for the band [[Coldseed]] alongside [[Soilwork]] frontman [[Björn Strid]].

Stauch is recognized for his fast and technical drumming, particularly on the Blind Guardian album ''[[A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album)|A Night at the Opera]]'', where he combines the traditional intensity and speed of the band's earlier style with new, more technical and progressive elements. He uses Premier Drums, Artisan Turk [[cymbal]]s, and [[Vic Firth]] [[Percussion mallet|drumsticks]].

== Discography ==

===Blind Guardian===
* ''[[Battalions of Fear]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Follow the Blind]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Tales from the Twilight World]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Somewhere Far Beyond]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Tokyo Tales]]'' (Live, 1993)
* ''[[Imaginations from the Other Side]]'' (1995)
* ''[[The Forgotten Tales]]'' (Compilation, 1996)
* ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'' (1998)
* ''[[A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album)|A Night at the Opera]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Live (Blind Guardian album)|Live]]'' (Live, 2003)
* ''[[Imaginations Through the Looking Glass]]'' (Video, 2004)

===Iron Savior===
* ''[[Iron Savior (album)|Iron Savior]]'' (1997)

===Savage Circus===
* ''[[Dreamland Manor]]'' (2005)

===Coldseed===
* Completion Makes the Tragedy (2006)

===Serious Black===
* As Daylight Breaks (2015)

===Mentalist===
* Freedom of Speech (2020)
* A Journey into the Unknown (2021)
* Empires Falling (2022)
* Earthbreaker (2025)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Blind Guardian}}
{{Savage Circus}}
{{Iron Savior}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stauch, Thomen}}
[[Category:German heavy metal drummers]]
[[Category:German male drummers]]
[[Category:German male musicians]]
[[Category:Blind Guardian members]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Iron Savior members]]
[[Category:Savage Circus members]]
[[Category:21st-century German drummers]]
[[Category:21st-century German male musicians]]

Skyclad (band)

2025-05-09T07:42:34Z

195.167.26.98: /* History */

{{Short description|British folk metal band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Thinking Allowed?|Thinking Allowed (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Skyclad
| image = Skyclad Rockharz 2018 19 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Skyclad at Rockharz Open Air 2018
| landscape=yes
| alias =
| origin = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Folk metal]]
* [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
* [[thrash metal]]
}}
| years_active = 1990–present
| label = Demolition Records, [[Massacre Records|Massacre]], [[Noise Records|Noise]], [[Nuclear Blast]], [[Listenable Records|Listenable]], Burning Airlines
| website =
| current_members = [[Steve Ramsey (musician)|Steve Ramsey]] Graeme "Bean" English Dave Pugh Georgina Biddle Kevin Ridley Arron Walton
| past_members =
}}

'''Skyclad''' is a British [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band heavily influenced by [[Folk music|folk]].<ref name="LarkinHM" /> They are considered pioneers of [[folk metal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/kultur-och-noje/noje/article991678/Jubilerande-Skyclad-BRklart-foumlr-Sweden-Rock.html|title=Jubilerande Skyclad klart för Sweden Rock|author=Marek Stefaniak|date=21 March 2010|work=Ystads Allehanda|access-date=9 November 2011|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028015456/http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/kultur-och-noje/noje/article991678/Jubilerande-Skyclad-BRklart-foumlr-Sweden-Rock.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The term "skyclad" originates from a pagan/[[wicca]]n concept referring to [[skyclad (Neopaganism)|ritual nudity]], where rituals are performed with participants metaphorically clothed only by the sky, symbolising equality. The name reflects both the band's religious inclinations and their social beliefs, as expressed in the song "Skyclad" on their debut album.

== History ==
The band was founded in 1990 by former [[Sabbat (English band)|Sabbat]] vocalist [[Martin Walkyier]] and [[Satan (band)|Satan]]/Pariah guitarist [[Steve Ramsey (musician)|Steve Ramsey]],<ref name="LarkinHM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1995|edition=Second|isbn=0-85112-656-1|page=327}}</ref> following Walkyier's departure from Sabbat due to a disagreement with guitarist Andy Sneap regarding the band's musical direction. Their goal was to form the "ultimate pagan metal band," initially envisioning ideas like traditional [[Robin Hood]] costumes, though these concepts were soon abandoned. They completed the lineup with another ex-Pariah member, bassist Graeme English, and drummer [[Keith Baxter (drummer)|Keith Baxter]]. The band signed with the German record label [[Noise Records (Germany)|Noise International]] and released their debut album, ''[[The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth]]'' in 1991.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> The album cover was designed by Garry Sharpe-Young.

Following a tour with [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]], they added Fritha Jenkins on violin and keyboards, along with a second guitarist, Dave Pugh, a friend of Baxter’s. This expanded lineup allowed for a more [[Traditional folk music|folk]]-influenced sound on their 1992 follow-up album, ''[[A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol]]''. Their early work continued with the release of ''[[Jonah's Ark]]'' in 1993. In 1994, the band released ''[[Prince of the Poverty Line]]'', during which Cath Howell replaced Fritha Jenkins, who had left to have a baby. Howell had filled in during the ''Jonah's Ark'' tour, as Jenkins had initially planned to return but later decided not to, making Howell a permanent member.

Howell later resumed her studies and was replaced by Georgina Biddle for the 1995 album ''[[The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea]]''. Afterward, both Baxter and Pugh left the band, leaving them short of members and generally unable to tour. However, they did replace Tiamat on the Black Sabbath ''Forbidden'' UK tour in 1995, while recording ''[[Irrational Anthems]]'', which was released early the following year.

''[[Oui Avant-Garde á Chance]]'' was recorded over the course of a year and, like ''Irrational Anthems'', featured studio/session drummer Paul AT Kinson. ''[[The Answer Machine?]]'' followed in 1997 with Kinson on drums, but the band still lacked a permanent drummer. In 1998, Jay Graham and guitarist Kevin "Riddler the Fiddler" Ridley—who had previously served as the band's producer, background vocalist, and singer/guitarist in the punk band [[Forgodsake]]—joined the lineup, just in time to record ''[[Vintage Whine]]'', released in 1999.
[[File:Skyclad.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Skyclad performing in 2008]]
The lineup remained stable during the recording of 2000's ''[[Folkémon]]'', but founding member Walkyier departed from the band in 2001, citing various reasons, including financial difficulties and the band's reluctance to tour in South America due to security concerns as the final straw. Other band members noted that Walkyier's somewhat acerbic personality contributed significantly to the group's lineup instability. After leaving, Walkyier went on to form The Clan Destined. For many fans, Walkyier's lyrics and delivery style were central attractions, leading to fears that his departure might spell the end for the band.

After replacing drummer Jay Graham—who left shortly after Walkyier—with drummer Arron Walton, and moving Kevin Ridley to vocals, the group aimed to alleviate these fears with 2002's ''No Daylights... Nor Heel Taps'', which featured studio recordings of "Irish Pub versions" of Skyclad classics by the new lineup. This release was preceded by the single "Swords of a Thousand Men" in 2001. The single's title track, originally recorded by [[Tenpole Tudor]], also appeared on ''Folkémon'' as a bonus track, albeit in a different version. The single included two recordings of the title track: one featuring Ridley on vocals and another with Ridley sharing vocals with Tenpole Tudor's frontman [[Edward Tudor-Pole]]. The single and album releases were accompanied by ''The Same...But Different'' tour, the largest Skyclad had undertaken in many years. Additionally, in 2001, the band's former record label released ''Another Fine Mess'', which included live recordings from 1995 and the contents of the ''Outrageous Fourtunes'' EP.

After some disagreements between Walkyier and the other band members regarding copyrights and royalties for his lyrics, as well as the release of tracks featuring him, 2004's ''[[A Semblance of Normality]]'' marked the band's first new material following Walkyier's departure. The album's style closely resembled that of previous releases, with Ridley's lyrics making a concerted effort to maintain similar themes and styles to Walkyier's while also establishing an individual identity.

In 2006, Skyclad self-released an EP titled ''[[Jig-a-Jig (EP)|Jig-a-Jig]]''. A new album was planned for the same year, but Black Lotus Records went out of business just a few months after Skyclad had signed with them.

The band's twelfth studio album, ''[[In The... All Together]]'', was released in spring 2009 via Scarlet Records.

In June 2012, Walkyier announced that a band called "Martin Walkyier's Skyclad" would be headlining a festival in Nottingham, England, in September of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=177694 |title=Martin Walkyier To Perform Set Of Skyclad Tunes At 'Viking Funeral' Festival |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=28 June 2014 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105073858/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=177694 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Skyclad's 13th studio album, ''Forward Into The Past'', was released on 28 April 2017 via [[Listenable Records]]. This album is notable for being the first since 1995's ''Silent Whales of Lunar Sea'' to feature second guitarist Dave Pugh, who returned to Skyclad as a full member in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skyclad.band/|title=Announcement on Skyclad's homepage|publisher=Skyclad|date=13 January 2017|access-date=28 June 2014|archive-date=31 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131104822/http://www.skyclad.band/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It was announced in May 2025, that Kevin Ridley has decided to leave the band to give more time to his family and his other project/band Theigns & Thralls. A follow-up announcement was made by the band that they have decided to continue as a five piece with the remaining line up staying the same, with Dave Pugh handling the vocals.

== Band members ==
=== Current members ===
* [[Steve Ramsey (musician)|Steve Ramsey]] – guitars (1990–present)
* Graeme "Bean" English – bass (1990–present)
* Dave Pugh – guitars (1992–1995, 2014–present), vocals (2025-present)
* Georgina Biddle – violin, fiddle, keyboards (1994–present)
* Arron Walton – drums (2001–present)

<gallery perrow="6" caption="Skyclad at Rockharz Open Air, Germany, 2018">
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 07.jpg|Steve Ramsey
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 06.jpg|Graeme "Bean" English
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 09.jpg|Dave Pugh
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 01.jpg|Georgina Biddle
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 05.jpg|Kevin Ridley
File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 14.jpg|Arron Walton
</gallery>

=== Former members ===
* [[Martin Walkyier]] – vocals (1990–2001)
* Kevin Ridley – guitars (1998–2025), vocals (2001–2025)
* [[Keith Baxter (drummer)|Keith Baxter]] – drums (1990–1995; died 2008)
* Fritha Jenkins – violin, keyboards (1992–1993)
* Catherine Howell – violin, keyboards (1994)
* Paul A.T. Kinson – drums (1996–1997)
* Jay Graham – drums (1998–2001)

===Live/session members===
* Danny Porter – guitar (1992)
* Dave Ray – guitar (1995)
* Jed Dawkins – drums (1995)
* Paul Smith – drums (1996)
* Dave Moore – guitar (1996)
* Nick Acons – guitar, violin (1997)
* Mitch Oldham – drums (1997)

=== Timeline ===
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:100 top:20 right:20
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1990 till:06/01/2025
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1990
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990

Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
id:violin value:drabgreen legend:Violin
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:album value:black legend:Studio_album

BarData =
bar:Martin text:"Martin Walkyier"
bar:Steve text:"Steve Ramsey"
bar:Dave text:"Dave Pugh"
bar:Kevin text:"Kevin Ridley"
bar:Fritha text:"Fritha Jenkins"
bar:Catherine text:"Catherine Howell"
bar:Georgina text:"Georgina Biddle"
bar:Graeme text:"Graeme English"
bar:Keith text:"Keith Baxter"
bar:Paul text:"Paul A.T. Kinson"
bar:Jay text:"Jay Graham"
bar:Arron text:"Arron Walton"

LineData =
at:10/17/1991 color:album layer:back
at:04/08/1992 color:album layer:back
at:06/03/1993 color:album layer:back
at:03/22/1994 color:album layer:back
at:03/24/1995 color:album layer:back
at:02/12/1996 color:album layer:back
at:11/04/1996 color:album layer:back
at:09/01/1997 color:album layer:back
at:02/15/1999 color:album layer:back
at:10/23/2000 color:album layer:back
at:03/11/2002 color:album layer:back
at:06/21/2004 color:album layer:back
at:05/22/2009 color:album layer:back
at:04/28/2017 color:album layer:back

PlotData =
width:11
bar:Martin from:01/01/1990 till:06/01/2001 color:vocals
bar:Steve from:01/01/1990 till:end color:guitar
bar:Dave from:01/01/1992 till:06/01/1995 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:01/01/2014 till:05/03/2025 color:guitar
bar:Dave from:05/09/2014 till:end color:guitar width:3
bar:Dave from:05/09/2025 till:end color:vocals
bar:Kevin from:06/01/1998 till:06/01/2001 color:guitar
bar:Kevin from:06/01/2001 till:05/03/2025 color:vocals
bar:Kevin from:06/01/2001 till:05/03/2025 color:guitar width:3
bar:Fritha from:01/01/1992 till:08/01/1993 color:violin
bar:Fritha from:01/01/1992 till:08/01/1993 color:keys width:3
bar:Catherine from:08/01/1993 till:06/01/1994 color:violin
bar:Catherine from:08/01/1993 till:06/01/1994 color:keys width:3
bar:Georgina from:06/01/1994 till:end color:violin
bar:Georgina from:06/01/1994 till:end color:keys width:3
bar:Graeme from:01/01/1990 till:end color:bass
bar:Graeme from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1998 color:keys width:3
bar:Keith from:01/01/1990 till:06/01/1995 color:drums
bar:Paul from:06/01/1996 till:12/31/1997 color:drums
bar:Jay from:01/01/1998 till:06/01/2001 color:drums
bar:Jay from:01/01/1998 till:06/01/2001 color:keys width:3
bar:Arron from:06/01/2001 till:end color:drums
</timeline>

== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
* ''[[The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth]]'' (1991)
* ''[[A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Jonah's Ark]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Prince of the Poverty Line]]'' (1994)
* ''[[The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Irrational Anthems]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Oui Avant-Garde á Chance]]'' (1996)
* ''The Answer Machine?'' (1997)
* ''Vintage Whine'' (1999)
* ''[[Folkémon]]'' (2000)
* ''[[A Semblance of Normality]]'' (2004)
* ''[[In the... All Together]]'' (2009)
* ''Forward into the Past'' (2017)

=== Compilations and live albums ===
* ''[[Old Rope (album)|Old Rope]]'' compilation (1996)
* ''[[Poetic Wisdom]]'' Compilation (limited tour Greek edition) (2001)
* ''[[Another Fine Mess (Skyclad album)|Another Fine Mess]]'' live album (2001)
* ''[[Live at the Dynamo]]'' compilation/live album (2002)
* ''[[History Lessens]]'' compilation (2002)
* ''[[No Daylights... Nor Heel Taps]]'' compilation/re-recording (2002)

=== Singles and EPs ===
* ''[[Tracks from the Wilderness]]'' EP (1992)
* "Thinking Allowed?" (1993) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 135
* ''[[Outrageous Fourtunes]]'' limited edition EP (1998)
* ''[[Classix Shape]]'' limited edition EP (1999)
* "[[Swords of a Thousand Men#Skyclad version|Swords of a Thousand Men]]" (2001)
* ''[[Jig-a-Jig (EP)|Jig-a-Jig]]'' limited edition EP (2006)

=== Videos ===
* "Emerald" (1992)
* "Thinking Allowed?" (1993)
* "Inequality Street" (1996)
* "Words Upon the Street" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2009)
* "Change Is Coming" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YjaMhB857I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/-YjaMhB857I |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=SKYCLAD – Change is coming |publisher=Listenable Records (YouTube channel) |date=16 March 2017 |access-date=21 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* "Starstruck?" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2017)
* "Words Fail Me" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2018)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.skyclad.band/ Official website]
*{{allmusic}}

{{Skyclad}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Skyclad}}
[[Category:English folk metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Nuclear Blast artists]]
[[Category:Massacre Records artists]]
[[Category:Noise Records artists]]
[[Category:Scarlet Records artists]]
[[Category:Listenable Records artists]]

Vehicle registration plates of Greece

2024-08-19T12:31:51Z

195.167.26.98: /* Prefectures (in Greek alphabetical order) */

{{short description|Greece vehicle license plates}}
{{Infobox vehicle registration plate|name=Hellenic Republic|image=Licenseplate Greece.jpg|country={{country|Greece}}|countrycode=GR|colour front=Black on white|colour rear=Black on white|size={{convert|520|x|110|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}}|serial_format=[[Vehicle registration plates of Greece#Prefectures (in Greek alphabetical order)|Prefectural codes]]|caption=Greek plate ([[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]])}}
{{No footnotes|date=October 2013}}
'''[[Greece|Greek]] [[vehicle registration plate]]s''' are composed of three letters and four digits per plate (e.g. <code>ΑΑΑ–1000</code>) printed in black on a white background. The letters represent the district ([[Prefectures of Greece|prefecture]]) that issues the plates while the numbers range from 1000 to 9999. As of 2004 a blue strip was added on the left showing the [[List of international vehicle registration codes|country code]] of Greece (GR) in white text and the [[Flag of Europe]] in yellow. Similar plates but of square size with numbers ranging from 1 to 999 are issued for motorcycles which exceed 50 cc in engine size.

With the exception of [[Athens]] and [[Thessaloniki]] which are represented by just the first letter of the three, all other districts are represented by the first 2 letters. The final one or two letters in the sequence changes in Greek alphabetical order after 8,999 issued plates. For example, [[Patras]] plates are <code>ΑΧΑ–1000</code>, where ΑΧ represents the [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture of which Patras is the capital. When <code>ΑΧΑ–9999</code> is reached the plates turn to <code>ΑΧΒ–1000</code> and this continues until <code>ΑΧΧ</code> is finished. The letters are officially letters from the [[Latin alphabet]], but only those letters are used whose shape (as a capital letter) matches a letter from the [[Greek alphabet]], specifically [[Α]], [[Β]], [[Ε]], [[Ζ]], [[Η]], [[Ι]], [[Κ]], [[Μ]], [[Ν]], [[Ο]], [[Ρ]], [[Τ]], [[Υ]], [[Χ]] (in Greek alphabetical order). This is because Greece is a contracting party to the [[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]], which in Annex 2 requires registration numbers to be displayed in capital Latin characters and Arabic numerals. The rule applies in a similar way in [[Vehicle registration plates of Russia|Russia]], [[Vehicle registration plates of Ukraine|Ukraine]], [[Vehicle registration plates of Belarus|Belarus]], [[Vehicle registration plates of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Vehicle registration plates of Bulgaria|Bulgaria]].

Combinations used for overseas residents are <code>L–NNNN</code> (where L = letter and N = number) and are limited.  Until 2003, taxis used <code>L–NNNN</code>; the plate was aligned with the prefecture and the letters were colored red.

==History==
[[File:License plate Greece 1972-1982 01.JPG|thumb|150x150px|1973–1985]]
[[File:License plate of Greece.jpg|150px|thumb|1984–2004]]
[[File:GR-number-plate-2004.svg |150px|thumb|2004 to present]]

===1911–1954===
Up until 1954 Greek number plates were quite simple: black numbers on a white background, indicating the serial number shown on the car's license. These started at 1 and advanced to approximately 75,000 when the system was changed. The owner had to provide the plates and specifications were minimal: the size of the plates and numbers, as well as their respective colours. This meant that plates were not very uniform. Taxis had to indicate the initial of the city they were licensed in (e.g. "A" for Athens). In 1954 it was compulsory for all vehicles to change to a new system.

===1954–1956===
For just 2 years the system was <code>L–NN</code>, <code>L–NNN</code>, <code>L–NNNN</code> or <code>L–NNNNN</code> with black characters on yellow background where L was the initial of the city they were licensed in (e.g. "A" for Athens, "Θ" for Thessaloniki etc.). All these plates display "1953–54" (the initial time period for the change, later revised) in black characters on a white background using a smaller typeface in the top left corner. These plates were compulsorily withdrawn in 1956.

===1956-1972===
In 1956 the system was again changed to just numbers <code>NNNNNN</code>. NNNNNN could be any number from one to six digits starting once again with "1" and ending this time at about "451000", though not all numbers were allocated. Characters were black on white background with a band at the top of both front and rear plates indicating city/district of registration and type of usage (private, commercial etc). Sometime after the early 60s the band on the front plate was abandoned and hence that plate became shorter in height, while the band at the rear became blue. This time it was not compulsory to change plates after 1972 when the newer system arrived. Hence these so-called "six-figure plates" can still occasionally (as of 2018) be spotted on a few old vehicles.

===1973–1985===
In 1972, they became lettered and the system was <code>LL–NNNN</code> while trucks used <code>L–NNNN</code>. Again, they were black characters on white background but with a new typeface. It was not compulsory to change these plates when the newer system arrived.

===1984–2004===
In 1984, the system changed to <code>LLL–NNNN</code> and the first two letters are prefecture letters (with the exception of the biggest prefectures Attica/Athens and Thessaloniki where only the first letter remained the same). Again, it was not compulsory to change to the newer "euro" plates in 2004.

===2004 to present===
In September/October 2004 the euroband and international country code (GR) were added to the left and the typeface changed. In all other respects the previous system <code>LLL–NNNN</code> continued with the numbering allocation carrying on as from pre-2004.

===Historic Vehicle plates===
Historic vehicle number plates can be issued for vehicles over 30 years old, after they pass the "authenticity" inspection. They came in yellow/blue, white/blue or white/orange depending on the historic vehicle organisation (FILPA or FHVE) and they consist of 4 numbers. Since 2023, new governmental historic plates are now available. They begin with the code IO and they have 5 digits (e.g. IO-12345). Their background is white and they have blue letters.

== Prefectures (in Greek alphabetical order) ==
The first 2 of 3 letters (which are listed below) of a licence plate usually represent the [[Prefectures of Greece|prefecture (nomos)]] where the car was registered. The almost full list of plates in Greece is below (next to the prefecture / district is its capital or an area within the prefecture that the plates are issued; some prefectures have more than one combination):

* '''ΑΑ''' [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture – [[Patras]]
* '''ΑΒ''' [[Kavala Prefecture|Kavala prefecture]] – [[Kavala]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΑΕ''' [[Lasithi]] prefecture – [[Agios Nikolaos, Crete|Agios Nikolaos]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΑΖ''' [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture – [[Patras]]
* '''ΑΗ''' [[Xanthi Prefecture|Xanthi prefecture]] – [[Xanthi]] (ΑΗΗ, AHI, AHO were omitted)
* '''ΑΙ''' [[Aitoloakarnania]] prefecture – [[Agrinio]] area (ΑΙΙ is omitted)
* '''ΑΚ''' [[Laconia]] prefecture – [[Sparta|Sparti]]
* '''ΑΜ''' [[Phokida]] prefecture – [[Amfissa]]
** '''ΑΜ''' [Ο, Ρ, Τ, Υ, Χ] (red letters) tax free cars
* '''ΑΝ''' [[Lasithi]] prefecture – [[Agios Nikolaos, Crete|Agios Nikolaos]]
* '''ΑΟ''' [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture – [[Patras]] {''motorcycles''}
** '''AO''' also used in [[Mount Athos]] in style of <code>AO–NNN–NN</code>.
* '''ΑΡ''' [[Argolis]] (Argolida) prefecture – [[Nafplio]]
* '''ΑΤ''' [[Arta Prefecture|Arta prefecture]] – [[Arta, Greece|Arta]]
* '''AY''' [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture – [[Patras]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΑΧ''' [[Achaea|Achaia]] prefecture – [[Patras]]
* '''ΒΑ''' [[Magnesia Prefecture|Magnesia prefecture]] – [[Volos]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΒΒ''' [[Magnesia Prefecture|Magnesia prefecture]] – [[Volos]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΒΕ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''BZ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΒΗ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΒΙ''' [[Boeotia Prefecture|Boeotia]] (Viotia) prefecture – [[Livadeia]]
* '''ΒΚ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]]
* '''ΒΜ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΒΝ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΒΟ''' [[Magnesia Prefecture|Magnesia prefecture]] – [[Volos]] (ΒΟΡ plates were also issued for cars in Pella Prefecture due to lack of ΕΕΚ plates at that time)
* '''ΒΡ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΒΤ''' [[Magnesia Prefecture|Magnesia prefecture]] – [[Volos]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΒΥ''' [[Boeotia Prefecture|Boeotia]] (Viotia) prefecture – [[Livadeia]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΒΧ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΕΑ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – [[Kos]] island {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΕΒ''' [[Evros Prefecture|Evros prefecture]] – [[Alexandroupoli]] (ΕΒΒ is omitted)
* '''ΕΕ''' [[Pella Prefecture]] – [[Edessa, Greece|Edessa]]
** '''EE''' [E, I] (red letters) tax free cars
* '''ΕΖ''' [[Cyclades]] prefecture – [[Ermoupoli]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΕΗ''' [[Euboea]] (Evia) prefecture – [[Chalkida]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''EI''' [[Euboea]] (Evia) prefecture – [[Chalkida]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''EK''' ''Trucks''
** '''ΕΚ''' [Α, Β, Ε] (introduced maybe in 2003/2004, yellow colored) [[truck]]s and other vehicles used for national  transport of goods
* '''ΕΜ''' [[Cyclades]] prefecture – [[Ermoupoli]]
* '''ΕΡ''' [[Serres Prefecture|Serres prefecture]] – [[Serres, Greece|Serres]]
* '''ΕΤ''' [[Corfu Prefecture|Corfu]] (Kerkyra) prefecture – [[Corfu (city)|Corfu]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΕΥ''' [[Lefkada]] prefecture – [[Lefkada (city)|Lefkada]] (ΕΥΑ plates were also issued in Rodos Island due to lack of ΡΟΝ plates at that time)
** '''ΕΥ''' [Υ] tax free cars of [[offshore company|offshore companies]]
* '''ΕΧ''' [[Kilkis Prefecture|Kilkis prefecture]] – Kilkis ''(future use)''
* '''ΖΑ''' [[Zakynthos Prefecture|Zakynthos prefecture]] – [[Zakynthos (city)|Zakynthos]]
* '''ΖΒ''' [[Zakynthos Prefecture|Zakynthos prefecture]] – [[Zakynthos (city)|Zakynthos]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΖΕ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΖΖ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΖΗ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΖΙ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΖΚ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΖΜ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΖΝ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]]
* '''ΖΟ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΖΡ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΖΤ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΖΥ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]]
* '''ΖΧ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]]
* '''ΗΑ''' [[Ilia Prefecture|Ilia prefecture]] – [[Pyrgos (Ilia)|Pyrgos]]
* '''ΗΒ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΗΕ''' [[Ilia Prefecture|Ilia prefecture]] – [[Pyrgos (Ilia)|Pyrgos]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΗΖ''' [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklion prefecture]] – [[Heraklion]]
* '''ΗΗ''' [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklion prefecture]] – [[Heraklion]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΗΙ''' [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklion prefecture]] – [[Heraklion]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΗΚ''' [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklion prefecture]] – [[Heraklion]] (ΗΚΗ and ΗΚΖ plates were also issued in nearby Chania Prefecture due to lack of ΧΝΜ plates at that time)
* '''ΗΜ''' [[Imathia Prefecture|Imathia prefecture]] – [[Veria]]
* '''ΗΝ''' [[Thesprotia]] prefecture – [[Igoumenitsa]]
* '''ΗΟ''' [[Xanthi Prefecture|Xanthi prefecture]] – [[Xanthi]] {motorcycles}
* '''ΗΡ''' [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklion prefecture]] – [[Heraklion]]
* '''ΗΤ''' [[Xanthi Prefecture|Xanthi prefecture]] – [[Xanthi]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΗΥ''' [[Phthiotis]] (Fthiotida) prefecture – [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΗΧ''' [[Imathia Prefecture|Imathia prefecture]] – [[Veria]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΙΑ''' ''Trucks''
** '''ΙΑ''' [Α, Β, Ε] (yellow colored) trucks used for international transport
* '''ΙΒ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΕ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΖ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΗ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] (IHA plates were also issued for cars in Euboea Prefecture due to lack of XAI plates at that time)
* '''ΙΙ''' [[Ioannina Prefecture|Ioannina prefecture]] – [[Ioannina]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΙΚ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΜ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΝ''' [[Ioannina Prefecture|Ioannina prefecture]] – [[Ioannina]]
* '''ΙΟ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΡ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''not solely for motorcycles as previously stated''}
* '''ΙΤ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΥ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΙΧ''' [[Serres Prefecture|Serres prefecture]]
* '''ΚΑ''' [[Karditsa Prefecture|Karditsa prefecture]] – [[Karditsa]] (ΚΑΑ is omitted)
* '''ΚΒ''' [[Kavala Prefecture|Kavala prefecture]] – [[Kavala]] (ΚΒΒ is omitted)
* '''ΚΕ''' [[Kefalonia and Ithaca Prefecture|Kefalonia and Ithaca prefecture]] – [[Argostoli]] (KEE is omitted)
* '''ΚΖ''' [[Kozani Prefecture|Kozani prefecture]] – [[Kozani]] (ΚΖΖ is omitted)
* '''ΚΗ''' [[Evrytania]] prefecture – [[Karpenisi]]
** '''ΚΗ''' [Ι, Ο, Υ] (orange colored) state cars
* '''ΚΙ''' [[Kilkis Prefecture|Kilkis prefecture]] – Kilkis
* '''ΚΚ''' [[Rhodope Prefecture|Rhodope prefecture]] – [[Komotini]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΚΜ''' [[Messinia]] prefecture – [[Kalamata]]
* '''ΚΝ''' [[Pieria (prefecture)|Pieria]] prefecture – [[Katerini]] (ΚΝΖ is omitted)
* '''ΚΟ''' [[Rhodope Prefecture|Rhodope]] (Rodopi) prefecture – [[Komotini]] (exceptions <code>ΚΟΗ</code> and <code>ΚΟΚ</code> – [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]], <code>ΚΟΡ</code> – [[Heraklion Prefecture|Heraklio]] prefecture {motorcycles})
* '''ΚΡ''' [[Corinthia]] prefecture – [[Corinth]] (Korinthos)
* '''ΚΤ''' [[Kastoria Prefecture|Kastoria prefecture]] – [[Kastoria]]
** '''ΚΤ''' [Ι, Ο, Τ] (red letters) tax free cars
** '''ΚΤ''' [Υ] (orange colored) state cars
* '''ΚΥ''' [[Corfu Prefecture|Corfu]] (Kerkyra) prefecture – [[Corfu (city)|Corfu]]
* '''ΚΧ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – [[Kos]] island (ΚΧΑ plates were also issued for cars in Rodos Island due to lack of ΡΟΖ plates at that time)
** '''ΚΧ''' [O, Υ, X] (red letters) tax free cars
* '''ΜΑ''' [[Chalkidiki]] prefecture – [[Polygyros]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΜΒ''' [[Samos Prefecture|Samos prefecture]] – [[Vathy, Samos|Samos]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΜΕ''' [[Aitoloakarnania]] prefecture – [[Messolongi]]
* '''ΜΖ''' [[Messinia]] prefecture – [[Kalamata]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΜΗ''' [[Lesbos Prefecture|Lesvos]] prefecture – [[Myrina, Greece|Myrina]] ([[Limnos]] island)
** '''MH''' [Ι, Ο, Υ] (red letters) tax free cars
* '''ΜΙ''' [[Phthiotis]] (Fthiotida) prefecture – [[Lamia (city)|Lamia]]
* '''ΜΚ''' [[Karditsa Prefecture|Karditsa prefecture]] – [[Karditsa]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΜΜ''' [[Pella Prefecture]] – [[Edessa, Greece|Edessa]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΜΝ''' [[Kozani Prefecture|Kozani prefecture]] – [[Kozani]]
* '''ΜΟ''' [[Samos Prefecture|Samos prefecture]] – [[Vathy, Samos|Samos]] (ΜΟΚ, ΜΟΜ and ΜΟΡ plates for motorcycles were also issued in Rodos Island due to lack of ΡΚΜ plates at that time)
** '''ΜΟ''' [Ι, Ο, Υ] (red letters) {tax free cars}
* '''ΜΡ''' [[Laconia]] prefecture – [[Sparta|Sparti]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΜΤ''' [[Lesbos Prefecture|Lesbos prefecture]] – [[Mytilene|Mytilini]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΜΥ''' [[Lesbos Prefecture|Lesbos]] (Lesvos) prefecture – [[Mytilene|Mytilini]] (ΜΥΖ plates were also issued for cars in Rodos Island due to lack of ΡΟΜ plates at that time)
* '''ΜΧ''' [[Evros Prefecture|Evros prefecture]] – [[Alexandroupoli]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΝΑ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΒ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΕ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΖ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΗ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΙ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΚ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΜ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]]
* '''ΝΝ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΝΟ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] – [[Thessaloniki]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΝΡ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΝΤ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΝΥ''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''NX''' [[Thessaloniki Prefecture|Thessaloniki prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΝΧ''' ''Trucks''
** '''ΝΧ''' [Α, Υ] (yellow colored) {trucks for transport of goods in a [[Prefectures of Greece|prefecture]]}
* '''ΟΑ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΒ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΕ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΖ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΟΗ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΙ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΚ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΜ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΝ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΟ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΡ''' [[Evros Prefecture|Evros prefecture]] – [[Orestiada]] area
* '''ΟΤ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΟΥ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΟΧ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΡΑ''' [[Florina Prefecture|Florina prefecture]] – [[Florina]] (ΡΑΑ is omitted)
** '''ΡΑ''' [Ι, Ο, Υ] (red letters) tax free cars
* '''ΡΒ''' [[Corinthia]] prefecture – [[Corinth]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΡΕ''' [[Rethymno Prefecture|Rethymno prefecture]] – [[Rethymno]] (ΡΕΕ appears not to have been omitted as previously stated)
* '''ΡΖ''' [[Preveza Prefecture|Preveza prefecture]] – [[Preveza]] (ΡΖΒ is omitted)
* '''ΡΗ''' [[Rethymno Prefecture|Rethymno prefecture]] – [[Rethymno]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΡΙ''' [[Larissa Prefecture|Larissa prefecture]] – [[Larissa]]
* '''ΡΚ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – Rodos ([[Rhodes]])
* '''ΡΜ''' [[Drama Prefecture|Drama prefecture]] – [[Drama, Greece|Drama]] (ΡΜΖ is omitted)
* '''ΡΝ''' [[Grevena Prefecture|Grevena prefecture]] – [[Grevena]]
** '''ΡΝ''' [Ι, Μ, Ν, Ο, Ρ] (red letters) trucks
* '''ΡΟ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – [[Rhodes]] (Rodos)
* '''ΡΡ''' [[Larissa]] prefecture – [[Larissa]]
* '''ΡΤ''' [[Larissa]] prefecture – [[Larissa]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΡΥ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – Rodos ([[Rhodes]]) {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΡΧ''' [[Dodecanese]] prefecture – Rodos ([[Rhodes]]) ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΑ''' ''Taxis''
** '''ΤΑ''' [Α, Β, Ε, Ζ, Η] (marked in yellow) taxis
* '''ΤΒ''' [[Corfu Prefecture|Corfu]] (Kerkyra) prefecture – [[Corfu (city)|Corfu]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΤΕ''' [[Corfu Prefecture|Corfu]] (Kerkyra) prefecture – [[Corfu (city)|Corfu]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΖ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΤΗ''' [[Aitoloakarnania]] prefecture – [[Agrinio]] area ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΙ''' [[Pieria (prefecture)|Pieria]] prefecture – [[Katerini]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΚ''' [[Trikala Prefecture|Trikala prefecture]] – [[Trikala]]
* '''ΤΜ''' [[Argolis]] (Argolida) prefecture – [[Nafplio]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΤΝ''' [[Trikala Prefecture|Trikala prefecture]] – [[Trikala]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΟ''' [[Drama Prefecture|Drama prefecture]] – [[Drama, Greece|Drama]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΡ''' [[Arcadia (regional unit)|Arcadia]] prefecture – [[Tripoli, Greece|Tripoli]]
* '''ΤΤ''' [[Rhodope Prefecture|Rhodope prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΤΥ''' [[Chania Prefecture|Chania prefecture]] – [[Chania]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΤΧ''' [[Preveza Prefecture|Preveza prefecture]] – [[Preveza]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΥΑ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΥΒ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΥΕ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΥΖ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΥΗ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] (YHA plates were also issued for cars in Euboea Prefecture due to lack of XAN plates at that time)
* '''ΥΙ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]]
* '''ΥΚ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]]
* '''ΥΜ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]]
* '''ΥΝ''' [[Piraeus Prefecture|Piraeus prefecture]]
* '''ΥΟ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]]
* '''ΥΡ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]]
* '''ΥΤ''' [[West Attica]] prefecture – [[Elefsina]]
* '''ΥΥ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]]
* '''ΥΧ''' [[East Attica]] prefecture – [[Pallini]]
* '''ΧΑ''' [[Euboea]] (Evia) prefecture – [[Chalkida]]
* '''ΧΒ''' [[Chania Prefecture|Chania prefecture]] – [[Chania]] {''now used for both motorcycles and cars''}
* '''ΧΕ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''now used for both motorcycles and cars''}
* '''ΧΖ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]]
* '''ΧΗ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΧΙ''' [[Chios Prefecture|Chios prefecture]] – [[Chios]]
* '''ΧΚ''' [[Chalkidiki]] prefecture – [[Polygyros]]
* '''ΧΜ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] ''(future use)''
* '''ΧΝ''' [[Chania Prefecture|Chania prefecture]] – [[Chania]]
* '''ΧΟ''' [[Chios Prefecture|Chios prefecture]] – [[Chios]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΧΡ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΧΤ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΧΥ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}
* '''ΧΧ''' [[Athens Prefecture|Athens prefecture]] {''motorcycles''}

== Special plates ==
[[File:Peugeot 406 with Greek diplomatic licence plate at Gerolimenas, Mani.png|thumb|Peugeot 406 with Greek diplomatic licence plate at Gerolimenas, Mani ("28" corresponds to Dutch Embassy)]]
[[File:License plate Greece police.JPG|thumb|150px|Police]]
[[File:License plate Greece goverment (2).JPG|thumb|150px|A state vehicle registration plate]]
[[File:License plate Greece Lorry old.JPG|thumb|150px| Works vehicles]]
[[File:Greek trailer plate.jpg|thumb|Truck Trailer over 3.5 tonnes without a prime mover.]]
Vehicles that belong to public services and armed forces use special license plates with the following letter combinations followed by numbers: {{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

* '''ΑΙΑ''' ([[Athens International Airport]] service vehicles) — (white coloured with black lettering, unofficial plates)
* '''ΑΝ.Π.''' ({{lang|el|Ανάπηροι Πολέμου}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Anapiroi Polemou}}) — Disabled in war (blue coloured with white lettering; same look as diplomatic plates)
* '''ΔΟΚ''' ({{lang|el|Δοκιμαστικές}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Dokimastikes}}) — Test plates – (issued to dealers when specific criteria are met: can be used interchangeably on all cars in dealers stock which do not have normal number plates)
* '''ΔΣ''' ({{lang|el|Διπλωματικό Σώμα}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Diplomatiko Soma}}) — [[Corps Diplomatique]] or foreign delegation (e.g. <code>ΔΣ 48 CD</code>, <code>ΔΣ 48–1 CD</code>) (blue-coloured)
* '''Ε.Α.''' or '''ΕΛ.ΑΣ.''' ({{lang|el|Ελληνική Αστυνομία}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Elliniki Astynomia}}) — [[Hellenic Police]]
* '''ΛΣ''' ({{lang|el|Λιμενικό Σώμα}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Limeniko Soma}}) — [[Coast Guard]]
* '''ΞΑ''' ({{lang|el|Ξένες Αποστολές}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Xenes Apostoles}}) — Foreign missions (orange coloured)
* '''ΕΣ''' ({{lang|el|Ελληνικός Στρατός}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Ellinikos Stratos}}) — [[Hellenic Army]]
* '''ΠΑ''' ({{lang|el|Πολεμική Αεροπορία}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Polemiki Aeroporia}}) — [[Hellenic Air Force]]
* '''ΠΝ''' ({{lang|el|Πολεμικό Ναυτικό}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Polemiko Naftiko}}) — [[Hellenic Navy]]
* '''ΠΣ''' ({{lang|el|Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Pyrosvestiko Soma}}) — Fire Guard
* '''ΠΚ''' ({{lang|el|Πρόεδρος της Κυβέρνησης}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Próedros tis Kyvérnisis}}) — President of the Government, i.e. the [[Prime Minister of Greece]]

The following categories are conflicting: The same letter combinations are used for both public services and specific regions:

* '''ΑΜ''' ({{lang|el|Αγροτικά Μηχανήματα}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Agrotika Mekhanemata}}) — [[Agriculture|Agricultural]] vehicles
* '''ΚΥ''' ({{lang|el|Κρατική Υπηρεσία}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Kratiki Ypiresia}}) — State
* '''ΜΕ''' ({{lang|el|Μηχανήματα Έργων}}, {{lang|el-Latn|Mekhanimata Ergon}}) — [[Public works]] vehicles (yellow coloured)

For [[Semi-Trailer|truck trailers]] over 3.5 tonnes without a prime mover:

The letter '''P''' followed by a hyphen and 5 or 4 numerals is used.

Also:

* '''T*''' ('''Τ'''ρέιλερ, ''Trailer'') — New trailer plates for private owners, since 2022 (white coloured with black lettering, combinations from TA to TX, 5 digits)
* '''IO''' ('''Ι'''στορικά '''Ο'''χήματα, ''Istorika Ochimata'') — New official plates for oldtimer vehicles, since 2023 (white coloured with blue lettering, 5 digits)

== Allied Forces in Greece [AFG] plates ==
[[File:AFG mc license plate.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|An AFG motorcycle license plate]]
Very similarly to AFI plates in Italy, AFG plates display the same display with four digits (instead of five in Italy) for cars, three digits for motorcycles. The first letter indicates the military base (A: Athens, I: Heraklion, T: Thessaloniki). AFG plates are solely distributed to US servicemembers on Greek soil.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|License plates of Greece}}
* [https://archive.today/20121211122542/http://plaque.free.fr/eur/gr/ Francoplaque Photos – Greece]
* [http://worldlicenseplates.com/world/EU_GREE.html License Plates of the World – Greece]
* [http://olavsplates.com/greece.html Olav's License Plate Pictures – Number plates of Greece]
* [https://matriculasdelmundo.com/grecia.html Matriculasdelmundo - Greece]

{{Vehicle registration plates of Europe}}

[[Category:Transport in Greece]]
[[Category:Vehicle registration plates by country|Greece]]
[[Category:Greece transport-related lists]]
[[Category:Vehicles of Greece| Registration plates]]