Greece to scrap old blue ID cards for travel on Aug 3 2026

Greece identity cards travel documents August 2026 electronic identification

From 3 August 2026 Greece will stop accepting the old “blue” plastic identity cards for any travel abroad, including trips within the Schengen zone. Citizens must use the newly issued Greek identity card or a valid passport for international journeys.

The new cards meet European security standards and contain a machine‑readable zone that the old cards lack. Domestic transactions, banking, and certain electronic remote‑identification services will continue to accept the old cards until 25 September 2027, provided the holder’s name is printed in Latin characters.

Issuing a new card requires an online appointment; a photograph can be taken at the police station on the day of the appointment or submitted electronically. The card is normally delivered within about seven days. The fee is €10 plus a €0.50 police stamp, with a reduced €5 fee for large families.

Entities

European Union · Greece · Greek Ministry of Interior · Greek blue identity card (old) · Greek identity card (new)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] For the remaining uses, the old identity cards must display the holder’s name in Latin characters. www.parapolitika.gr
[DISPUTED] Old identity cards will remain valid for domestic transactions and certain electronic remote‑identification procedures until 25 September 2027. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Citizens can travel using the new Greek identity card or a valid passport. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The fee for issuing a new identity card is €10 plus a €0.50 police stamp, with a reduced €5 fee for large families. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] Issuing a new identity card requires an electronic appointment; the photograph can be taken at the police station or submitted electronically, and delivery takes about seven days. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The new identity cards include modern security features and a machine‑readable zone required by European standards. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] From 3 August 2026 the old blue Greek identity cards will no longer be accepted for travel abroad, including within the Schengen zone. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] The change is due to the old cards lacking the required security features and machine‑readable zone. www.ot.gr · www.parapolitika.gr · www.powergame.gr · tvxs.gr