Greece is entering a new era regarding driving licences. The replacement of old driving licences has already begun and affects every driver in the country, regardless of age or licence category. This is one of the biggest changes to the driving system in decades, and this time there will be no extensions.

The replacement is being carried out gradually, in stages, depending on the issuance year and batch of each licence. The first key deadline was 19 January 2026, which applied to specific categories of older licences. The final deadline for everyone is 19 January 2033. After that date, no old licence—whether paper or older-format card—will be considered valid. Those who have not replaced their licence will simply not be able to drive legally.

European format: one card for the entire EU

The new driving licence follows a standard EU-wide card format, common to all member states. This means an end to the old Greek paper documents and older multi-coloured booklets that were used for decades.

The new format makes verification and recognition easier across all EU countries, with the goal of full system harmonisation at the European level by the end of the decade.

Digital driving licence on mobile phones

The major shift is not only the new physical card. A digital driving licence stored in a mobile wallet is in advanced stages of development and will have equal legal validity to the physical document. Authorities will be able to verify it instantly, both in Greece and abroad, as the system will operate across the EU. In Greece, however, this has already been in place for three years. Other EU countries are now moving in the same direction, with the aim of full cross-border recognition.

Everything now via gov.gr

The replacement process is fully digital. Using TaxisNet credentials, citizens can apply online, upload required documents, pay fees electronically, and choose home delivery or collection from a public office. Medical examinations are also now linked to state systems for improved oversight.

New rules for older drivers

The changes do not only concern the licence format. Renewal rules for older drivers are being tightened: from age 65, licences must be renewed every three years, and from age 80 every two years. Each renewal requires mandatory medical checks by a general practitioner, ophthalmologist, and other specialists.

What else is coming at the EU level

The new framework opens the door to further changes, including ten-year renewal cycles for broader categories of drivers, possible mandatory retraining or assessment, and the expansion of accompanied driving from age 17, a system already in place in Greece.

Who needs to act on this

The year 2026 mainly concerns holders of older licences from specific periods, drivers over 65 who must renew their licences, and those still holding very old paper or “pink” licences. If you fall into one of these categories, action should be taken now—not at the last minute.

The change in driving licences is bigger than a simple redesign. It reflects a broader shift in the system: digital control, EU harmonisation, and stricter driver oversight. By 2033, every driver in Greece will have transitioned to the new system—whether by choice or by necessity.