Greece passport rush before ID deadline

In late July, Greek authorities announced that the old blue identity cards would cease to be accepted for international travel after 3 August, prompting a surge in demand for new biometric IDs and passports. The General Police Directorate responded by extending passport office hours in several cities, including Thessaloniki, Hama and Kilkis, to accommodate the influx.

By 1 August, citizens were queuing overnight at the Thessaloniki passport office, bringing chairs and sleeping bags to secure a place in line. Applications had risen from about 80 per day in May to over 250 daily in the weeks before the deadline, and many feared they would not be served in time despite the extended hours.

The situation reflects a rapid escalation of public pressure as the deadline approaches, with authorities maintaining the same operating schedule (08:00‑14:30) while citizens continue to gather in large numbers to obtain the required documents.