As of August 7, 2007, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia now allows Greek citizens to visit by showing a Greek national ID. No passport required.

There has been a 40 percent decrease in visits by Greek citizens to the country since January 2007, and this move hopes to boost tourism.

Everyone with Greek citizenship is entitled to a Greek national ID, Greek identity (ID) card or tautotita, although only those permanently living in Greece really need one.

Used in all public and private transactions, it is required to get an AFM (tax number), secure a bank account or credit card, sign a contract (lease, work, phone subscription, utility bills, purchase a home), take part in examinations, enroll in school or a university, see a state doctor, register for state insurance, collect unemployment, get married, etc.

Unlike other countries, the possession of a Greek national ID (tautotita) does not hold a higher or more exclusive status, since all of the same transactions mentioned above can easily be performed with a passport from any country.

All residents and visitors to Greece should carry some form of identification at all times. Failure to produce proof at the request of law enforcement officials could lead to temporary detention, while your identity is established and verified.

Yesterday and today

Greek ID cards (tautotites) used to be handwritten and only in Greek. Since 2000, they were changed to Greek and Latin characters to facilitate travel within the European Union without a passport.

In 2005, two further changes were made. The process of issuing a Greek ID was simplified, thus cutting the wait time from one year to a few minutes, and the mandatory age to get a Greek ID (tautotita) was changed from 14 to 12 years.

Although the Greek ID is now bilingual and printed, it no longer has a fingerprint and lists no religious affiliation or spouse’s name. In the future, it may morph into a credit card sized ID with a security swipe strip on the back after EU-wide biometric ID debates conclude. France, Germany, Italy and Spain have already phased in electronic cards.

It is technically not a “European” or EU ID, it is a Greek ID concerned with designating a person by nationality not by continent. All European countries have their own unique ID for their respective citizens.

(Rumor refuted by reality: A well-known media outlet reported that Greek males who do not possess a Greek national ID or passport cannot be drafted by the military, however I have found this untrue in reality. Plenty of foreign residents of Greek origin living permanently abroad have been drafted by overstaying the terms of their certificate during vacation in Greece, without even having citizenship or being registered in an oikogeneiaki merida.)

Where do I go?

Greek ID cards are issued in person by local police stations on behalf of the Ministry of Public Order. Call ‘11888′ for the station nearest you or look in your map book, which lists all addresses by municipality.

If you are outside Greece, calling a Greek Consulate is more relevant.

Getting your first Greek national ID

First:

1. Go to the police station and set an appointment to issue a Greek national ID.

2. Police may or may not ask you to fill out and sign a dilosi (statement of facts) stating your intention to secure a new ID.

On the specified date and time of your appointment, bring:

1. A certified birth certificate, which specifically states that it will be used for the issuance of your ID, from your oikogeniaki merida (municipality where your family’s papers are deposited and the place you vote in elections) issued within 90 days of application; or if you are a naturalized citizen, both a certified printed birth certificate from your homeland and the Greek citizenship certificate (a photocopy and the original for inspection).

* A legal guardian must accompany a minor.

2. A document stating your blood type, issued by a private doctor, lab or IKA

3. Four (4) black and white passport photos, showing your entire face and an expression that is neither smiling or frowning.

4. 0.30 euro cents hartosimo

Replacing an outdated or stolen ID

First:

1. Go to the police station and fill out a dilosi (statement of facts) that states your intention to cancel and issue a replacement ID. Or if your ID was stolen, you must present evidence of this fact and give a statement under which it occurred. If it concerns a name change, bring documentation of this fact.
- Police will provide you with a dilosi and tell you what to write in all cases

2. Set an appointment to issue a new/updated Greek national ID

3. Hand over your current Greek ID to police. *Make a front and back copy if you wish for sentimental purposes before going to the police station since you will never get it back AND make sure you won’t need it for any transactions or have other means of ID (passport, driver’s license).

On the specified date and time of your appointment, bring:

1. A certified birth certificate, which specifically states that it will be used for the issuance of your ID, from your oikogeniaki merida (municipality where your family’s papers are deposited and the place you vote in Greek elections); or if you are a naturalized/repatriated citizen, both a certified printed birth certificate from your homeland and your Greek citizenship certificate (a photocopy and the original for inspection)

* A legal guardian must accompany a minor.

2. A document stating your blood type, issued by a private doctor, lab or IKA

3. Four (4) black and white passport photos, showing your entire face and an expression that is neither smiling or frowning.

4. 0.30 euro cents hartosimo or 9 euros hartosimo if your ID was lost or suffered wear and tear due to being abused (forces of nature, such as earthquake, shipwreck, etc. are excluded)

What happens next?

Police stamp, verify and enter the information into a computer, three copies of a form are printed out and the new ID is created while you wait. You sign the papers and ID card, which is then laminated and given to you.

If you were reissuing an updated or new ID to replace a former one, a completely new ID number will be assigned — you do not keep the same number. However, the old and new numbers are cross-referenced to identify you as the owner of both. The old card is held on file.

There is no expiration date.

What information does it list?

Front side:
Photo
Blood type (A, B, AB or O)
Rhesus (positive/negative)
ID number
Date and place of issuance
Signature and stamp

Back side:
Surname (Greek)
Surname (English)
Given name (Greek)
Given name (English)
Father’s given name (Greek)
Father’s given name (English)
Mother’s given name (Greek)
Mother’s given name (English)
Date of birth
Municipality of birth (Greek/English)
Height (cm)
Dimotis, place of voting rights and registration (Greek)
Municipality issuing the ID (Greek)
Stamp and signature of police (Greek)

Can I still travel within the EU/Schengen using my old Greek ID?

Everyone who has an updated Greek national ID with Latin letters is permitted to travel within the Schengen zone. Those who have the older ID in Greek only must swap for a new ID or have the new Greek passport to travel, since Schengen countries require Latin letters.

Questions? Please call ‘11888′ to ask in Greek at the local police station or ‘1564′ to ask in English at KEP (Citizen Service Centers). If you are outside Greece, calling a Greek Consulate is more relevant.

* Special thanks for Tolis for clarification.

Non-citizen residents of Greece

If you do not have Greek citizenship, you do not qualify for a Greek national ID. The act of being born outside Greece to a Greek citizen means nothing unless your parents or grandparents applied for your citizenship. Citizenship is also not transferable. Therefore, being married to a Greek citizen means nothing and does not entitle you to a passport or ID. See, “How to acquire Greek citizenship.”

Should you not qualify for any of the options, it is absolutely no problem since your passport accomplishes all of the same things a Greek national ID does.

Ministry of Public Order’s article

After writing my article back in July, I found the English version of an article on the Ministry of Public Order’s Web site that is poorly written and contains erroneous information. However, you are free to see it by clicking here.

My article is based on official documentation translated from Greek to English and information gathered from first-hand experience at the police station in Athens, after going through the process in June 2007. Nothing has changed since then.

Related posts

“Greek passport“
“Converting to a Greek driver’s license“
“Certify a photocopy, dilosi or other document in Greece“

Article updated March 16, 2008