Greece is in the final phase of replacing older national identity cards with new, digitally upgraded versions, as part of compliance with an EU regulation that sets a hard expiry date for outdated documents.

Under EU Regulation 2019/1157, identity cards that do not include a machine-readable zone (MRZ) will no longer be valid after 3 August 2026, making the transition mandatory for all holders of older formats.

Fees and Requirements for New ID Cards

Before attending an appointment at a police office, citizens must complete payment of an electronic fee system:

  • A €10 e-paravolo (Type 4485) covering card production, printing, personalization, and secure transport.
  • A reduced €5 fee (Type 4486) for eligible large families, with supporting documentation.
  • A €0.50 police stamp (Type 2043) attached to the application.

All payments must be completed electronically in advance of the scheduled appointment.

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Appointment Availability Despite High Demand

Demand for new identity cards has increased significantly following the introduction of the Personal Number system. To manage this, the digital appointment platform operated by the Ministry of Digital Governance has been upgraded.

Despite earlier congestion, available appointment slots can still be found in certain areas, including Pallini, Keratéa, Kifisia, Lykovrysi, Oropos, as well as island locations such as Poros and Spetses.

How the Booking System Works

The appointment process is fully digital and follows a structured workflow:

Citizens select the issuing authority based on their place of residence and choose an available date and time from the system. Personal data is automatically retrieved from national registries, including the Civil Registry and the national contact database.

If information is outdated, it can be updated during the application process or declared by the user.

Once submitted, applicants receive an email confirmation with all appointment details and contact information for the relevant authority. Appointments can also be rescheduled, cancelled, or rebooked up to one hour before the scheduled time. Reminder emails are sent automatically ahead of the appointment.

In cases of loss or theft of an identity card, citizens must contact the issuing authority directly to arrange a replacement appointment.