Passport theft or loss

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What happens in case of theft / loss or discovery of a Greek passport.

What happens in case of theft or loss of a Greek passport?

In the event of loss, theft or complete destruction (for whatever reason) of a Greek passport, the person concerned must immediately submit to the nearest Greek police, coastguard, fire service or consular authority a solemn declaration under Article 8 of Law 1599/1986 (Government Gazette Α΄ 75) regarding the place, time and circumstances of loss, theft or destruction of their passport.

Passports declared lost, stolen or completely destroyed shall be automatically considered void as soon as the relevant declaration is submitted.

The competent authorities shall conduct an inquiry into the circumstances of loss or theft of the passport, which may last up to 3 months from the date on which the declaration was submitted. In the event of a new declaration concerning the loss or theft of a passport submitted within 5 years, the inquiry may last up to 1 year, depending on the seriousness of the case.

Additionally, as long as the inquiry is ongoing, a new passport cannot be issued to the holder of the stolen or lost passport, except in the cases set out in Article 1(3) of Presidential Decree 25/2022, in particular: hospitalisation abroad of the holder or their spouse or civil partner or relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree for serious health reasons, death or serious illness abroad of the holder’s spouse or civil partner or relative by blood or marriage up to the second degree, serious reason for immediate travel by the interested party abroad, such as signing-on of a sailor or return of a permanent resident abroad.

What happens when a Greek passport is found?

Passports declared lost, stolen or completely destroyed shall be automatically considered void as soon as the relevant declaration is submitted.

If a passport is found, it must be handed over to the service where the loss or theft was reported or to the nearest Greek police or consular service, which, after voiding it (in accordance with Article 3(3) of Presidential Decree 25/2022), shall return it to the holder (except in cases where it has been seized in the framework of criminal proceedings), and the National Passport and Secure Document Centre of Hellenic Police Headquarters and other agencies involved shall be notified to stop their search.

If a passport is found and no declaration concerning its loss or theft has been submitted, the passport shall be considered automatically void and sent to the National Passport and Secure Document Centre of the Hellenic Police Headquarters, where it shall be kept until a declaration concerning its theft or loss is submitted, in which cases it shall be returned, after having been voided, to its legitimate holder, or destroyed when its expiry date lapses.

What happens in the event of Misappropriated passports?

Misappropriated passports shall be automatically considered void by the National Passport and Secure Document Centre of the Hellenic Police Headquarters as of the time of submission of a complaint by the victim. Where this act occurred abroad, the citizen in question must also report this fact to the competent Greek consular authority.

After submitting a relevant request, the holder of a misappropriated passport may be issued a new passport immediately. In this case, the supporting documents to be produced shall include a copy from the Register of Offences, Occurrences, Arrests, Cautions and Complaints kept by the competent police authority to which a relevant complaint was submitted or relevant attestation prepared by the competent consular authority (where the act occurred abroad).


Above mentioned information have been published at Your Europe - Your Guide to Greece Website where citizens can be informed about their rights οr their obligations in Greece.

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