5. Temporary/Emergency Travel Documents

Overview

In the context of providing consular assistance, the Consular Authorities issue in emergencies Temporary Travel Documents.

The Temporary/Emergency Travel Documents (Laissez –passer) are issued by the Consular Authorities to Greek citizens (L.2968 / 18.12.2001), who are deprived of a passport either due to loss or due to theft, in order to enable them to return to Greece or at their place of permanent residence.

The national emergency travel document is not issued to residents of the area where the consular authority is based. It is exclusively granted in exceptional cases. The duration of the emergency travel document does not normally exceed 15 days and does not replace the issuance of an ordinary Greek passport.

Requirements

• Greek citizens and third-country nationals who held a Greek travel document, refugees recognized by Greece, or beneficiaries of international protection.
  Emergency situations, such as: accident, sickness, death, theft, loss, total destruction, misappropriation, etc. of the passport and inability to replace it in due time.
• Two witnesses with a valid passport or police identity card confirming the identity of the person concerned, if the applicant does not have an identification document.
• For minors, registration in the Greek population registers is required, as well as the physical presence of both parents, or of one parent with the consent of the other parent, or of the person exercising custody or guardianship of the minor.

It should also be noted that, pursuant to Article 4(6) of Law 4251/2014 of the Migration and Social Integration Code (Government Gazette, Series I, No 80), a person who is proved to be a Greek citizen or a citizen of an EU Member State cannot be refused entry into Greece, even if they does not have a passport or other travel document.

They are valid for the time required for the completion of the journey and for the necessary time needed for overnight stays or travel correspondence.

The issue of Temporary Travel documents is free of charge.

Necessary supporting documents:

• Application,
• Two (2) photos,
• ID card or certificate of registration in the Municipal Register
• Statement of the nearest local foreign Police Authority that the loss or theft of the applicant's Greek passport was declared.
• Solemn Declaration of article 8 of Law 1599/1986 regarding the place, time and conditions of loss or theft of the passport.

For the verification of the identity of the applicant who lost his/her passport and for the issuance of a Temporary Travel Document and in case he/she does not have a Greek Identity Card (with Latin characters) a witness with a valid passport is required.