A significant change will come into effect from August 3, 2026, for holders of old-style Greek identity cards, as the familiar “blue” identity cards will cease to be recognised as travel documents within the European Union.
The change is not a Greek initiative but stems from European Regulation 2019/1157, which imposes uniform security standards on the identity cards of EU member states.
The key clarification is that August 3 is not a deadline for the issuance of a new identity card. Citizens will still be able to apply for and obtain a new identity card after that date.
What changes is that old identity cards without a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) will no longer be accepted for travel within the European Union and the Schengen Area.
For Greeks in Australia, the development is expected to affect mainly older members of the diaspora who still hold older Greek identity cards. Younger generations generally use Greek or Australian passports and, in many cases, have never obtained a Greek identity card.
At the same time, the change may have practical consequences for those who maintain property or assets in Greece. Banks, notaries and public services are increasingly requesting updated identification documents, a development that may lead many expatriates to obtain a new identity card during their next visit to Greece.
The process
The process for obtaining a new identity card is carried out exclusively in Greece through the Hellenic Police and includes the collection of biometric data, such as fingerprints, as well as a specialised digital photograph.
The process is straightforward. Applicants book an appointment online and attend the designated police station on the scheduled day. The procedure is quick and efficient and generally requires no more than 10 minutes of attendance. The total cost remains relatively low at €10.
The new identity cards feature enhanced security measures, biometric data and machine-readable elements to ensure full compliance with European standards.
For those who hold a valid passport, however, the change is not expected to create immediate difficulties for international travel.
The new identity cards are valid for 10 years, unlike the old cards, which had no expiry date.
