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2 clusters · 12 sources · 8 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 7 days ago

Greece identity and driver's license updates

Overview

Following the implementation of EU regulation 2019/1157, Greek citizens must transition to new identification and driving documents. As of August 3, 2026, traditional blue police ID cards are no longer recognized as valid travel documents for international travel, including within the Schengen Area, though they remain valid for domestic transactions.

Drivers are also transitioning from paper to plastic European-style licenses. While the final deadline for all old licenses is January 19, 2033, drivers aged 65 and older must replace paper licenses during scheduled renewals involving medical examinations, and those over 80 must renew every two years.

In response to these changes, Greek authorities have issued warnings regarding phishing scams. Fraudulent messages, sometimes appearing to come from ‘GOV – GR’, falsely claim that citizens must pay fines to avoid the cancellation of identification or to complete the issuance process. Officials have clarified there is no legal requirement or fine for those who have not yet replaced their old cards.

Entities

Thessaloniki · European Union · Greek Ministry of Citizen Protection · New Democracy · Greece

Claims

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

[● 3 SOURCES] No fines are imposed on citizens for delaying or not issuing the new identity card. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Scam messages are circulating via SMS and email claiming citizens must pay fines to avoid identity card cancellation. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Old laminated identity cards will cease to be valid for use within Greece in September 2027. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Old identity cards can no longer be used for international travel as of August 3. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] New identity cards are no longer issued without the prior issuance of a personal identification number. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Scam messages may appear to come from a sender identified as ‘GOV – GR’. www.e-radio.gr · www.tromaktiko.gr · www.larissanet.gr

Timeline

7 days ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
Greece warns of identity card scams involving fake fines
Greek authorities warn of a scam where fraudulent messages claim citizens face fines for not issuing new identity cards. No such fines exist, and old cards remain valid domestically until 2027.
14 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
Greece: New ID and driver's license requirements
Greek citizens must update ID cards and driving licenses due to EU regulations. Blue IDs will not be valid for travel after August 2026, and drivers aged 65+ must transition to plastic licenses.

Sources

e-radio.gr · gargalianoionline.gr · ilialive.gr · kefaloniamagazine.gr · larissanet.gr · newsbomb.gr · newsit.gr · olympia.gr · seleo.gr · sportime.gr · thestival.gr · tromaktiko.gr