Athens, Greece – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reassured the public that the country’s new identity cards, set to be issued starting from September 25, will not include any tracking or surveillance technology. Speaking to the cabinet, Mitsotakis emphasized that the new IDs will not contain “any chips or cameras or listening devices,” addressing concerns from some quarters about potential privacy issues.
The announcement of the upcoming new identity cards has sparked interest among conspiracy theorists who have expressed fears about government surveillance through technology. However, the government has sought to clarify the purpose and features of the new IDs.
According to Citizen Protection Minister Yiannis Oikonomou, the new identity cards are in compliance with EU Regulation 2019/1157, which mandates upgraded security features on identity cards issued by member states. Notably, identity cards without a machine-readable zone, a feature also found on passports, will no longer be valid after August 3, 2026.
The new identity cards will prominently display essential information on the front, including the bearer’s photograph, ID number, surname, first name, gender, date of birth, nationality, date of issuance, date of expiry, issuing authority, and the bearer’s signature. On the reverse, details such as the bearer’s father’s name, mother’s name, place of birth, optional blood group, height (required for bearers over 24 years old), and space for the personal citizen number (if introduced by the government) will be recorded. Notably, the AMKA social security number will not be featured on the card.
Enhanced security features on the new cards include laser engraving of the bearer’s color photograph and details. Additionally, RFID chip technology will be incorporated, allowing the information stored on the card to be read by specialized chip readers at close range.
To obtain a new ID card, citizens will have the option to schedule an appointment through the government’s official website, govgr. The issuance process is expected to take up to a week, with a cost of 10 euros for the applicant. The new identity cards will be valid for a period of 10 years.
