From August 3, Greece’s classic blue identity card will no longer be valid for international travel, meaning holders will be unable to use it when crossing borders outside the country. From that date onward, a passport will be required for any journey abroad.
The restriction stems from the fact that the traditional blue police-issued ID cards do not include a machine-readable zone, a standardized feature required for automated scanning at border control checkpoints. Under European Union regulations, all travel documents used by EU citizens must be compatible with electronic reading systems, similar to modern biometric passports.
The change is part of a broader transition to new, digitally secure identity cards that are gradually replacing older formats. Authorities estimate that by September 2027, the legacy blue IDs will be fully phased out even for domestic use and transactions with public services.
Meanwhile, civil services are already experiencing increased demand, with many citizens rushing to book appointments at police stations in order to obtain the new identity cards.
Officials note that one practical workaround for avoiding long waiting times is scheduling an appointment in a police station located in a holiday destination—such as an island or rural area—where availability may be more flexible during the summer period.
