Greece has introduced mandatory personal identification numbers on new national ID cards, marking a shift in how citizens interact with government services. The new regulation requires all newly issued ID cards to include a unique 12-digit personal identification number that will serve as a unified identifier for all state interactions.
The new system represents a major modernization of Greece’s identification infrastructure, aligning with broader European Union efforts to enhance identity verification and security across member states. The initiative follows the EU’s ongoing transition from the eIDAS framework to the more comprehensive European Digital Identity (EUDI) wallet initiative, as documented earlier this year.
Under the new system, the personal identification number will be automatically generated when citizens apply for new ID cards. The number will appear physically on the card and be digitally embedded in its chip, with data maintained in a centralized registry by the Digital Governance“>General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance.
The implementation includes a practical transition period, allowing existing ID cards to remain valid until expiration if they were issued before or within 30 days after the forthcoming ministerial decision on technical specifications. The move can be seen as part of a broader trend of digital identity modernization efforts seen across Europe, including the recent launch of the eIDAS-Testbed for validating digital identity solutions.
The new system aims to streamline administrative processes by eliminating the need for multiple identification numbers across different government services. Citizens will use a single identifier for activities ranging from healthcare visits to benefit applications, potentially reducing bureaucratic friction and improving data accuracy.
Sources: Greek City Times, Dnews
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April 1, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
