Greece is moving toward a full transition to its new national identity cards, a change that will directly affect travel within the European Union. While older ID cards have not yet been abolished, the new format will become mandatory for international travel within the EU starting in August 2026, authorities have confirmed.
The announcement has increased pressure on police stations, particularly in major urban areas such as the wider Athens region, where demand for new ID cards has surged. Appointment availability is currently limited, with bookings in many locations extending into March and April, raising concerns among citizens who have not yet secured a slot.
Officials explained that the high demand in densely populated areas is straining the system. However, the government platform used to book appointments only displays availability for the next three months at any given time. As a result, the absence of visible appointments beyond that period does not mean future slots will not open.
New appointments are released daily after 9:00 p.m. for the following three-month period, with citizens advised to check the platform regularly, especially during morning hours. To ease the backlog, extended operating hours have already been introduced at several police departments issuing ID cards in the Athens area, with further expansions under consideration.
