22 November 2005
NEW PROCEDURE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF GREEK
PASSPORTS
(Starting 1 January 2006)
In accordance with the common Ministerial Resolution No. 3021/228/10/28/6/2005, ÖÅÊ 932, neox.den, 6.7.05 of the Greek Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Public Order, the Greek Police will have the responsibility for issuing the new Greek passports, starting from 1 January 2006.
Thereby, Greek Consular Authorities will have responsibility for the following:
Collecting applications and required documentation.
Securely forwarding them to the Greek Police.
Receiving passports sent by the Greek Police.
Handing over passports to their rightful holders.
The submission of applications to
the Consular Authorities by all individuals must take place in person. The same is required
when taking receipt of the passports, with the additional possibility, however,
of taking receipt through legally authorized individuals. An exception to the
obligation to be present in person is provided in cases that involve
«particularly serious health problems», while specific provisions apply to
minors.
This resolution has been taken in order to
meet the need for issuing safer travel documents in accordance with the European
Regulation (2252/2004).
The existing old-form passports and the passports to be issued from the Greek Authorities before the 1st of January 2006 will be valid only for one year, expiring on the 31st of December 2006.
On the 1st of January 2007, it is expected that all Greek citizens will be holders of the new-form passport with a validity of 5 year as before.
The Consular Authorities is at your disposal for any clarifications and information you may require.