Solar Control Films
Guide to the legal limits of light transmittance, the required documentation, the KTEO inspection and the relevant legislation.
What are the legal limits for light transmittance
The Joint Ministerial Decision 29039/2123/07/2008 sets the minimum light transmission coefficient of glazing as follows:
Glazing
Front windshield (windscreen)
75%
Front side windows, on either side of the driver's position
70%
Rear side windows and rear windshield, when the vehicle does NOT have side mirrors
70%
Rear side windows and rear windshield, when the vehicle has side mirrors
No VLT restriction is imposed by Article 2
Glazing marked «V»
Not subject to the VLT restrictions of Article 2
Caution: The percentages refer to the overall light transmission coefficient of the «glass + film» system and not only to the nominal transmittance of the film. Factory-tinted glass may already reduce light transmittance.
What is allowed and what is forbidden
Front windshield and front side windows: film that reduces the total light transmission coefficient below the legal limits of 75% and 70% respectively is not permitted.
Strip at the top of the windshield: a film strip up to 10 cm wide is permitted for anti-glare/sun protection, in accordance with the specific provision of the decision.
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) reduction film: it is provided for as a special category with very high visible light transmission and very high UV absorption, in accordance with the definitions of the decision.
Rear windows: tinting can be much greater when the vehicle is equipped with side mirrors, provided that the other certification and installation requirements are met.
Mirror-type films: they are not permitted on any window. Films with a reflection coefficient greater than 25% are considered as such by the decision.
Third brake light on the rear window: its illuminated surface must not be covered with film.
What certification and documents must be available
The film must be certified for installation and use on vehicles by an E.U. Member State, an EFTA state participating in the EEA or Turkey, as stipulated by the Joint Ministerial Decision.
During installation, an adhesive certification/identification mark for the film on the glazing is required, in accordance with the procedure of Article 4.
The holder must have the original film installation certificate, completed and signed, together with the certification details provided for by the decision.
During the periodic technical inspection, for a vehicle with applied films, Ministerial Decision no. 19111/192/2019 expressly requires presentation of the film installation certificate.
What does the vehicle inspection check regarding window tints
Whether the restrictions for the glazing and light transmission are complied with.
Whether the required installation certificate is present and whether it is fully completed.
Whether the film is certified and whether the marking on the glazing corresponds to the details on the certificate.
Whether the vehicle has the required side mirrors in cases where rear tinting is based on this condition.
The actual condition of the film: severe bubbles, haziness, yellowing, image distortion, peeling, creases or bulges may constitute grounds for a deficiency.
When is there a serious deficiency at the vehicle inspection center
The Joint Ministerial Decision 29039/2123/07/2008 itself classifies cases such as the following as a serious deficiency:
failure to comply with the basic installation requirements and restrictions,
absence or incorrect completion of the installation certificate,
non-certified film,
absence or mismatch of the certification sticker,
absence of the required side mirrors,
significant deterioration of the film that affects visibility, such as severe bubbling, cloudiness, distortion, peeling or blistering.
What this means in practice: If a serious deficiency is recorded, the periodic technical inspection is not completed successfully. The cause must be remedied and the vehicle must follow the reinspection procedure provided for by the current KTEO framework.
Special exception for health reasons
The Joint Ministerial Decision provides a special option for drivers with health problems that are affected by solar radiation, subject to the prescribed medical/administrative approval. Because the relevant health and administrative procedures may change, for a specific case the current procedure must be confirmed with the competent Transport Service.
Legislation & Government Gazette
J.M.D. 29039/2123/07/2008 — Government Gazette 1069/B/10.06.2008
The main specific legislation for the installation of films on vehicle glazing. It establishes the light transmission limits, certification requirements, the installation and attestation procedure, as well as the cases of serious deficiency during technical inspection.
M.D. ref. 19111/192/2019 — Government Gazette 1003/B/26.03.2019
It establishes the method and procedure for conducting technical inspections at Public and Private Vehicle Technical Inspection Centers. For vehicles with applied films it provides for the presentation of an installation certificate in accordance with J.M.D. 29039/2123/07/2008.
M.D. 340141/2022 — Government Gazette 5759/B/10.11.2022
It amends the current technical inspection framework and updates the detailed table of inspection points and deficiencies applied at Vehicle Technical Inspection Centers.
J.M.D. ref. 49372/3352/2017 — Government Gazette 2726/B/04.08.2017
It establishes the minimum requirements for the periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles and constitutes a key part of the general framework for the operation of Vehicle Technical Inspection Center inspections.
Law 5209/2025 — Government Gazette 100/A/13.06.2025
The current Road Traffic Code. The specific technical framework for film light transmittance limits continues to derive from J.M.D. 29039/2123/07/2008.