Can I travel in the EU with my ID card?
Yes: you can travel within the EU/Schengen on the national ID — but only with a valid, compliant card. As an EU citizen you may move within the EU/Schengen on your ID card instead of a passport. Since 25 Sept 2023, Greece has issued new biometric IDs (chip, MRZ, QR), valid 10 years (instead of the old indefinite validity), costing €10 (e-fee 4485; €5 for large families). Key Greek date: from 3 Aug 2026 the old "blue" (non-MRZ) cards stop being accepted for EU travel. An expired or non-compliant ID isn't accepted — then you travel on a passport. In short: yes, with a new/valid ID.
📋 The rules
- EU/Schengen: travel on the national ID instead of a passport
- New biometric IDs since 25 Sept 2023, valid 10 years
- Cost €10 (e-fee 4485); €5 for large families
- From 3 Aug 2026 old "blue" cards invalid for travel
- Expired ID: not accepted — travel on a passport
🔓 Exceptions
- Urgent cases: issuance without an appointment
- Outside the EU/Schengen: a passport is needed
- After 3 Aug 2026 with an old card: travel only on a passport
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — the consequence is practical: an expired or old non-compliant ID simply isn't accepted and you're stopped at the airport/border. Beware two myths: "old Greek IDs never expire" — wrong, indefinite validity ends and Greece's acceptance for travel is cut off on 3 Aug 2026; and "you have until 2031" — 2031 is the EU's general outer limit, not Greece's deadline. To stay compliant: replace the old ID in good time via gov.gr/Hellenic Police (issued in ~7 working days), or travel on a valid passport.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I travel in Europe with my ID card?
Yes. As an EU citizen you can travel within the EU/Schengen on your national ID instead of a passport, as long as it's valid and compliant. For countries outside the EU/Schengen you need a passport.
Is the old "blue" ID still valid for travel?
Only until 3 August 2026. From that date, old IDs without an MRZ stop being accepted for EU travel. It's best to replace it in good time with the new biometric ID card.
How much does the new ID cost and how long is it valid?
The cost is €10 via an e-fee (type 4485), and €5 for large families. The new biometric ID is valid for 10 years, unlike the old indefinite validity, and is issued in about 7 working days.
Can I travel on an expired ID?
No. An expired or non-compliant ID isn't accepted for travel. In that case you must travel on a valid passport or first issue a new ID. In urgent cases, issuance without an appointment is available.
Do I have until 2031?
Not for Greece. 2031 is the EU's general outer limit for cards that carried a printed expiry date. For old Greek IDs without an MRZ, acceptance for travel is cut off earlier, on 3 August 2026.
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