Greece mandates ID card updates for banks, employers and utilities

From 3 August 2026 the EU regulation 2019/1157 came into force, ending the use of the old blue police ID cards as travel documents. Greek citizens who have not yet received the new electronic ID cannot travel abroad, even within the Schengen area.

After receiving the new ID, holders must promptly inform a range of private and public organisations to avoid disruptions. Required updates include: - Banks (via e‑banking or branch visits) - Employers (HR or payroll departments) - Insurance companies (auto, health, home, life policies) - Telecom and internet providers - Utility companies such as DEI and EYDAP - Payment‑app services like Viva Wallet and Revolut.

The police automatically records the new data in the National Registry of Citizens, which is linked to other government databases, allowing connected services to receive the updated details in real time. A ministerial decree extends the acceptance of old IDs for remote electronic verification until 25 September 2027, so they remain usable for domestic banking and administrative transactions during that period.