[en] A research for the estimation of doses received by patients undergoing radiological examinations in order to establish diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) was conducted in Greece. A total of 7 big hospitals in Athens were selected and samples consisted of 450 patients. The Entrance Surface Doses (ESDs) to patients undertaking 5 common X-ray examinations (chest, cervical spine, lumbar spine AP and LAT, pelvis) were estimated using both thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) attached to the patient's skin and ionisation chamber for air kerma measurements. Patients' data and exposure settings were recorded. The results from both methods coincided perfectly. The lumbar spine AP and LAT and the pelvis examinations proved to demonstrate lower DRLs than the ones recommended by the E.U. For the cervical spine examination, where there is no E.U. recommendation, the value of 1.0 mGy was established as the national DRL. In the case of the chest examinations, the DRL was found to be 0.7 mGy, more than twice the recommended value. Discrepancies in the patient doses and techniques used for the examinations studied were found among the different hospitals. Results concerning the kilovoltage and Focus-to-Film-Distance (FFD) were also analysed and compared to those recommended by the E.U. Correlation between the kilovoltage and milliampere-second product (mAs) settings was found only in the cases where the Automatic Exposure Control was operated. (author)