Greece’s New National ID Cards: Demand Surge & Appointment Availability
Primary Topic: Greece’s transition to new national ID cards and the challenges citizens face in obtaining appointments.
Primary Keyword: Greece ID card
Secondary Keywords: new ID card Greece, Greek ID appointment, EU ID card, Greece travel ID, ID card backlog, Athens ID card, Greece digital identity.
Greece is transitioning to a new national identity card format, a change impacting travel within the European Union. While older ID cards remain valid for now, the new format will be required for international travel within the EU starting in August 2026, according to official announcements from the Greek government. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/greece-to-introduce-new-id-cards-in-2026/
This upcoming requirement has led to a notable surge in demand for the new ID cards, especially in major urban areas like Athens. Currently, appointment availability is limited, with many locations booked through March and April 2025, causing concern for citizens who have yet to schedule an appointment. https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/2218414/greece-faces-id-card-appointment-backlog/
Greek authorities acknowledge the strain on the system caused by high demand in densely populated regions. A key factor contributing to the perceived scarcity of appointments is the functionality of the government’s online booking platform. The platform displays availability only for the next three months. Therefore, a lack of visible appointments beyond this timeframe does not indicate that future slots will not become available.
New appointments are released daily at 9:00 PM (Greek time) for a three-month window. Citizens are strongly advised to check the platform frequently, particularly during morning hours, for newly released slots. https://www.iefimerida.gr/ellada/nea-id-nea-randevoy-pote-anartoyntai-kai-pos-tha-vreite-diaqesimotita (Greek source, confirms appointment release time)
To address the backlog, several police departments in the Athens area have already extended their operating hours for ID card issuance, and further expansions are being considered. The government is actively working to increase capacity and improve the appointment scheduling process.