Greece Ends Use of Old-Style Identity Cards for International Travel

Greece ended the use of its traditional identity cards for international travel on Monday, August 3, 2026, including journeys within the Schengen Area. Greek citizens now need a new biometric identity card or a valid passport when traveling outside the country.

The old cards, commonly recognized as blue paper or plastic documents, lack biometric features and a machine-readable zone, known as an MRZ. Those omissions brought them under the phaseout deadline established by EU Regulation 2019/1157.

The Ministry of Citizen Protection confirmed the change in a statement issued Monday.

“As of today, 3 August, old-style police identity cards can no longer be used for travel abroad. since they lack the modern security features and machine-readable zone required under European standards.”

The cards remain usable for certain domestic purposes in Greece. That includes banking and dealings with public authorities, with domestic validity continuing until September 2027.

A separate notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed confusion over a ministerial extension published in the Government Gazette. The extension concerns trust services and runs until September 25, 2027, the ministry said. It “does not constitute a blanket extension of the cards' validity as travel documents.”

Travelers presenting an old card for a flight or a land crossing within the European Union can be denied boarding or entry. The international travel cutoff arrived during the peak summer holiday period.

New cards require an in-person appointment in Greece

Greek citizens must carry either a new biometric identity card in the ID-1 format or a valid Greek passport for international trips. The new cards cost €10.

Applicants must appear in person at a Greek police station. Appointments are arranged through the government’s id.gov.gr digital platform.

The Hellenic Police reported that more than 4.15 million new-style cards had been issued by July 31, 2026. Authorities increased online appointment availability by 28% in July to handle the late-summer rush.

The deadline has also driven a rise in emergency passport applications. Appointment queues at police stations have grown as travelers prepare for trips already scheduled around the summer holiday season.

Greek citizens abroad must return to Greece for the new card

Greek consulates do not issue the new identity cards. Greek citizens living abroad must complete the application while in Greece, according to an August 1, 2026 advisory from the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Greece.

That requirement affects Greek citizens and dual nationals residing in the United States who do not already hold a valid Greek passport. They must travel to Greece to apply for the new card or use a passport for future international travel.

Dual U.S.-Greek citizens face an additional document rule when traveling to and from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security says they must continue using a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States, regardless of the change to Greek identity documents.

The department also said in a July 30, 2026 policy update that the United States supports the wider move toward biometric travel documents to combat identity theft and fraud. That update did not specifically address Greek identity cards.

Domestic use lasts beyond the travel deadline

The different deadlines separate travel validity from domestic administration. An old card can no longer serve as a travel document abroad, but it remains available for domestic banking and public-authority transactions until September 2027.

The Government Gazette extension for trust services lasts until September 25, 2027. The foreign ministry’s guidance limits that extension to its stated domestic purpose, rather than restoring international travel rights.

Greek citizens planning to travel after Monday therefore need to check which document they will present before departure. The accepted options are the new biometric card or a valid Greek passport.

The government’s identity-card platform remains the route for appointments, while the Hellenic Police publishes news and announcements through astynomia.gr.