New Document Issues

Two new document issues to report this month.

Greece New ID Card

The country’s new identity card is being issued from 25 September. The Ministry for Public Protection has published a statement outlining that under EU Regulation 2019/1157 ¹, member states need to issue new identity cards with upgraded security features. ID cards, such as the present Greek one that were first issued in 1961, that do not have a machine-readable zone will cease to be valid from 3 August 2026.

Greece New ID – Front.

The front of the new card contains the bearer’s photo, ID number, surname, first name, gender, date of birth, nationality, date of issuance, date of expiry, issuing authority and bearer’s signature.

The bearer’s father’s name, mother’s name, place of birth, blood group (optional), height (required for bearer’s over 24 years of age) and space for the personal citizen number (should the government introduce one) will be recorded on the reverse.

Greece New ID – Reverse.

The AMKA social security number will not be included on the card.

The security features on the new card include laser engraving of the bearer’s colour photograph and details. They also contain RFID chip technology, which allows the information stored on it to be read by readers at close proximity.

Citizens are able to book an appointment to apply for a new ID card via the state’s website. It will take up to a week to issue a card, which will cost the applicant €10. The cards are valid for 10 years.

China New Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

The National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) has announced that a new version of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of the People’s Republic of China will be officially issued and put into use from 1 December 2023.

China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card – Front under white light illumination.

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is a legal identity document issued by NIA for qualified foreigners whose permanent residence applications have been approved. It can be used alone as a personal identity document. The holders can use the card as a legal certificate in accommodation registration, paying for train, ship or airline tickets and other occasions that require personal identification, without showing their passports.

China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card – Front and Reverse under white light (top) and UV (bottom) illumination.

While maintaining the basic style of the current version, the new card adds five-starred elements, embodying the national logo, and optimises the layout.

The new card also includes more advanced anti-counterfeiting technology and upgrades the information storage and application management service access.

After the new card is officially put into use, holders can handle private affairs such as transportation, consumption and finance on the online service platform, which further facilitates their life in China.

1 - www.europeansources.info/record/regulation-eu-2019-1157-on-strengthening-the-security-of-identity-cards-of-union-citizens-and-of-residence-documents-issued-to-union-citizens-and-their-family-members/