Entities issuing secure documents in Greece – the Hellenic Police Headquarters, National Passport and Secure Document Center – have commenced a new design revamp of ordinary passports.
Passport issuance for national citizens began back in December. The production of official documents for foreigners – needed for identity, residence, and travel purposes – will take place in the first quarter of 2024. The upgrade will align the newly designed document, for security reasons, with standards enforced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO.).
Following guidelines that passports should be updated every 10 years, Greece’s document will embed the latest intricate security and design features to be counterfeit-proof.
In particular, the New Generation passport series will revision security components on the main data page of the passport.
To issue a passport with significant adjustments, there are alterations within the manufacturing process to integrate new hologram features, ‘floating security printing’ which links cyan guilloches to the colour portrait overlap.
The appearance of the document is enhanced with elaborate embossing and tactile laser which contributes to its anti-counterfeiting properties. The personal data page, which holds identity information about the holder, is made of extra strong polycarbonate.
Other security features include negative and positive microtext and a DOVID DID™ 90-degree color permutation. The old passport series was still in production during a transition phase in December.
Previously issued passports will remain valid until their stated expiry date, however all renewed passports from January will encompass the new design, with a greater level of security to be verified by scanner and biometric technology in the airport.
