New state IDs, mandatory by 2026, reach 1.2 million 

Approximately 1.2 million new state IDs have been issued between the start of the replacement process on September 25, 2023, and December 13, according to official data provided by the Greek police to Kathimerini.

Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the procedure's rate of progress ahead of 2026, when new state IDs will be mandatory for all Greek citizens. Old IDs will remain valid for certain procedures until September, 2027.

The new IDs are digitized, more compact, significantly more durable than their predecessors, and feature QR codes for instant authentication. They are also printed using advanced technology that makes forgery nearly impossible. 

Additionally, unlike the older state IDs, which were issued without an expiration date, the new IDs have a 10-year validity period. 

According to police figures, a total of 1,165,000 citizens have...