The Hellenic Police (ELAS) put out for bid on Thursday a contract for the creation of an electronic information system for security documents. The successful firm will be responsible for the creation of new IDs and the upgrading of current passports, driving licenses and other documents for all Greek citizens.
The new documents will be in compliance with an EU decision that was first taken in November of 2018.
According to ELAS, the company which will undertake to manufacture the new security documents and IDs must already have produced similar documents in another EU member state. They must also adhere to the current security standards of both the European Union and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The new system will also upgrade travel and other documents which are issued to foreign nationals in Greece.
The EU’s decision to overhaul the security standards of these documents is due to become a formal EU directive in the coming days. After that time, all EU member-states will have 24 months to issue their citizens’ documents in line with the new standards.
The new IDs will be similar to a credit card, and will have shared security features, such as a machine-readable zone for use in airport, port and railway station scanners, and a contactless chip containing biometric data (photo and fingerprints).
In addition to Greek IDs and passports, the system will also be used to issue diplomatic passports, UN travel documents for refugees and stateless persons, driving licenses, various types of residence permits and police IDs.
Greece was one of the last countries in Europe to continue issuing ID’s without a machine-readable zone which were not in line with the new ICAO guidelines.
Source: AMNA
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