GOV overwhelmed by ID issuance requests – Available appointments scarce

When the new, modern platform for issuing ID cards was launched and made available to citizens nearly a year and a half ago, it was promoted as a solution that would increase appointment availability and, by extension, reduce waiting times for processing requests. However, the reality—at least at this point in time—is quite different.

To book an appointment for the issuance of an ID card, citizens are required to do so exclusively through the digital platform. This is followed by an in-person visit to the police authority of their choice, regardless of their place of residence.

To book an electronic appointment, citizens must provide:

1. their personal Taxisnet login credentials
2. their contact details

And this is where the serious problems begin.

In almost all competent offices in the Attica region, there are no available appointments at least until July 2026. In other words, this is the earliest point at which someone can even check for availability on the platform. A similar picture is observed across most of the country.

It is worth noting that August 2026 is a critical milestone. From 6 August onwards, the old-style identity card will cease to be valid as a travel document and will no longer be accepted for travel abroad.

Required documents for the issuance of the new ID card

After booking an electronic appointment, the citizen must appear in person at the issuing authority and submit the following:

1. Digital photograph

The photograph may be:

taken directly at the issuing authority, or

taken by a certified professional photographer, who will upload it to the myPhoto application on gov.gr.

In the latter case, the photographer provides a unique code. The citizen must then associate this code with their tax identification number (AFM) through the myPhoto application and authorize the application “Issuance/Replacement of Greek Citizens’ Identity Cards” to retrieve the photograph.

Information about the myPhoto service is available on the dedicated platform.

2. Application – Solemn Declaration

The application–solemn declaration is provided by the issuing authority.

Based on this application, the necessary civil registry details are retrieved ex officio through the “Citizens’ Registry” Information System of the Ministry of the Interior. The application is printed and the citizen is asked to sign it.

3. Application for the issuance of an identity card

This application is also provided by the issuing authority.

It is completed by the competent service based on the citizen’s details, as recorded in the “Citizens’ Registry” Information System or in a certificate issued by the municipality in whose registry the citizen is enrolled.

The citizen signs it electronically (using a digital signature on special equipment). The application is then printed, the citizen confirms the accuracy of the details, and signs it again by hand.

4. Electronic fee (e-paravolo)

For the issuance of a new identity card, the following are required:

Electronic fee of €10.00 payable to the State

Fee Type: [1894] – “Issuance of a Greek citizen’s identity card”

This amount covers the cost of the card body, printing and personalization expenses, and the cost of secure transport.

For large families (upon presentation of the relevant supporting document, such as a large-family booklet), the fee is €5.00.

Fee Type: [1895] – “Issuance of a Greek citizen’s identity card (large families)”

In addition, the application must include the prescribed Hellenic Police stamp, amounting to €0.50.