The validity of newly issued Greek passports will double from five to 10 years for all citizens aged at least 14 as of today, the Citizen Protection Ministry said on Thursday.
The extension comes after Parliament voted on the relevant legislation last month, which came into effect on September 1, 2022.
The move will save at least 55.5 million euros in state funding and bring the country in line with international practices, AMNA reported.
Speaking of the newly passed legislation last month, Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, said Greece was one of the last European Union member States, as well as world countries, that still issued passports with a validity shorter than 10 years.
“It will mean less bureaucracy for Greek citizens, especially Greeks abroad. It will free up police time. Both the state and citizens will benefit,” the Minister said at the time.
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