The Greek Government has announced that as of 31 December 2006 Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are no longer valid, regardless of the date of expiry.
As of 1 January 2007, only Greek passports issued on and after 1 January 2006 are acceptable for travel.
Please note, however, that the following interim measures have been put in place.
Visitors intending to travel to New Zealand Visa free
As of 1 January 2007 Greek travellers with passports issued before 1 January 2006 wishing to visit New Zealand visa free will be denied entry.
New Zealand visa holders
For a three month period, from 1 January 2007 until 31 March 2007, Greek passport holders with passports issued before 1 January 2006 with a temporary visa issued into their passport will be permitted to travel to New Zealand if the visa entitles them to a permit of six months or more. From 1 April 2007 such travellers will be denied entry.
New Zealand residence visa and New Zealand returning resident’s visa holders
For a three month period, from 1 January 2007 until 31 March 2007, Greek passport holders with passports issued before 1 January 2006 with a current residence visa or a current returning resident’s visa (RRV) in their passport will be permitted to travel to New Zealand and will be granted residence on arrival.
Australian residents with right of residence in New Zealand
Greek passport holders with passports issued before 1 January 2006 eligible for residence on arrival in New Zealand on the basis that they hold current Australian permanent residence visas or current Australian resident return visas issued into their old style passport will be denied entry into New Zealand. However if they hold a New Zealand RRV, for a three month period from 1 January 2007 until 31 March 2007, they will be permitted to travel to New Zealand and will be granted residence on arrival.
From 1 April 2007 all holders of Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 wishing to travel to New Zealand will be denied entry.
To see the amended policy, see Amendment Circular 2006/21 PDF [45KB].