Old residence cards and ID cards in the EU expire on August 3, 2026

On August 3, 2026, a key stage of EU Regulation 2019/1157 comes into effect, requiring the mandatory replacement of old formats of residence permits and national ID cards. Documents that do not contain biometric data or a machine-readable zone (MRZ) will become invalid, even if they indicate a later expiration date or were issued indefinitely.

EU: General requirements of Regulation 2019/1157

According to European legislation, residence permits of family members of EU citizens (who are not EU citizens), as well as national ID cards that do not meet modern ICAO security standards, will expire on August 3, 2026. This applies to old-style documents in many European countries, in accordance with EU Regulation 2019/1157.

Poland: Replacement of residence cards and launch of MOS 2.0

In Poland, all residence documents issued before August 2, 2021, will expire after August 3, 2026. Holders of such documents must contact the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) to replace them with new biometric cards. In addition, from April 27, 2026, Poland will fully transition to electronic submission of applications for residence cards via the MOS 2.0 portal.

Denmark: Free replacement of old cards

In Denmark, the replacement requirements apply to permanent residence permits for family members of EU citizens (from third countries). Cards issued in the periods from 1998 to 2011 and from August 3, 2016, to August 3, 2021, will become invalid on August 3, 2026. An application for a new card must be submitted to the SIRI agency, and the procedure is free of charge, as reported by the official portal Ny i Danmark.

Hungary: Residence permits and old ID booklets

The National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) of Hungary announced that permanent residence cards issued to family members of EEA citizens between August 3, 2016, and August 2, 2021, will expire on August 3, 2026. Also from this date, old Hungarian ID cards in the form of a booklet will become invalid. For citizens over 70 years old, new cards are issued free of charge.

Greece: Cancellation of old ID cards

Greece is also completing the transition to new standards. Old Greek ID cards that do not have an expiration date and a machine-readable zone will be canceled on August 3, 2026. Without new cards, citizens will not be able to travel within the EU using an internal document, which is confirmed by European directives.

In brief: all changes

Rules change frequently — before taking action, always check the current requirements on the official government source provided above.