The validity of new Greek passports will double from 5 to 10 years for all citizens aged at least 14 as of today, the Citizen Protection Ministry said on Thursday.
Relevant legislation voted in Parliament recently went into effect on September 1 (today), the ministry said, while it clarified that passport application fees will not change.
The move will save at least 55.5 million euros in state funding and bring the country in line with international practices. It will also reduce bureaucracy and free more police officers for citizen protection services.
Extending the validity period was proposed by Hellenic Police headquarters, the ministry, and the Legal Council of the State. An ongoing tender for passports vendors will be cancelled without cost to the state, the Citizen Protection Ministry said.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
