Greece sets August 3, 2026 deadline for new biometric ID cards

Under European Regulation 2019/1157, Greece will stop accepting old police identity cards that lack a machine‑readable zone after 3 August 2026. Citizens must obtain the new digital IDs, which feature an RFID chip, QR code and enhanced security, to travel abroad; otherwise a passport will be required.

The new cards cost a €10 electronic fee (reduced to €5 for large families) plus a €0.50 police stamp. Applications are made via an online appointment system, with photo submission either on‑site or through the gov.gr platform. The issued IDs are valid for ten years and integrate automatically with government databases.