Greece is transitioning to a new national identity card format, which will be required for travel within the European Union beginning in August 2026. Demand for the new cards has surged, creating appointment backlogs at police stations, particularly in the Athens region.
New Greek ID Cards and EU Travel
Older Greek ID cards have not yet been abolished, but the new format will become mandatory for international travel within the EU starting in August 2026, authorities have confirmed. The increased demand is straining the appointment system, with many locations showing availability extending into March and April.
Officials say the high demand in densely populated areas is contributing to the backlog. The government’s online appointment booking platform currently displays availability only for the next three months, which does not indicate a lack of future openings.
New appointments are released daily at 9:00 p.m. for the following three-month period, and citizens are advised to check the platform frequently, especially in the morning. Extended operating hours have been implemented at several police departments in Athens, with further expansions being considered to address the backlog.
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