Greece Phases Out Old ID Cards for EU Travel Starting August

Friday, 12 June 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

Starting August 3, 2026, old-style Greek national identity cards will no longer be accepted as travel documents for journeys within the European Union. Greek citizens who have not yet upgraded to the new digital ID card will need to use a valid passport to enter or travel between EU countries, including for flights to and from Crete. This change does not affect tourists from other countries, who should continue to travel with their standard national passports or EU identity cards as usual. Greek travelers planning to visit Crete or travel onward from Crete after this date should check whether their ID card is the new digital format. If not, they should ensure their passport is valid before booking travel. The new digital ID cards remain fully accepted for EU travel with no restrictions.