No appointments available in Athens and Thessaloniki for new ID cards until April

Source: ProtoThema English

Appointments for issuing the new ID cards in Athens and Thessaloniki are fully booked until early April 2026, according to the official online scheduling platform.

It appears that thousands of citizens have already scheduled appointments for their new ID cards, resulting in central departments in both cities being unable to accept any more bookings.

In contrast, availability is better on the islands and in less populated regions, where appointments may be available within a few days or a week.

For example, those trying to book an appointment at central police departments in Attica or Central Macedonia will find no slots available.

Sources familiar with the matter recommend that residents of larger cities opt for non-central departments, where the workload is less intense due to lower population density.

Travel Restrictions Starting Summer 2026

It’s important to note that starting in the summer of 2026, citizens who do not hold the new police ID cards will not be able to travel within the European Union.

According to Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou, the old-style IDs, based on 1960s security standards, will no longer be accepted for travel within the EU due to insufficient security features.

However, within Greece, the old IDs will remain valid for domestic use.

From ID Cards to the Personal Number (P.A.)

At the same time, the rollout of the Personal Number (P.A.) is progressing. This number will become the primary means of identification for all transactions with public authorities, gradually replacing the AFM (Tax ID) and AMKA (Social Security Number).

The deadline to obtain a Personal Number is November 5, 2025, and failing to do so may lead to issues with essential services such as:

• Filing tax returns
• Paying social insurance contributions
• Accessing public sector e-services

How to Obtain the Personal Number

The process is digital, via the platform myinfo.gov.gr using Taxisnet credentials, or in person at Citizen Service Centers (KEP) or Consular Authorities.

Steps:

1. Log in at myinfo.gov.gr with your Taxisnet credentials
2. Confirm your personal details
3. Select “Issue P.A.”
4. The number is generated automatically

The P.A. consists of 12 alphanumeric characters, including:

• 3-character alphanumeric prefix
• The 9 digits of the existing Tax ID (AFM)
• A final digit used as a validity check digit

Why It Matters

Not obtaining a Personal Number could result in delays or exclusions from key services, such as:

• Tax return submissions
• Social security payments
• Online interactions with public services

The original article: https://en.protothema.gr/2025/10/10/no-appointments-available-in-athens-and-thessaloniki-for-new-id-cards-until-april/ belongs to ProtoThema English .