Greece has introduced a set of digital age-verification tools for retailers selling alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products, connecting point-of-sale checks to the country’s existing digital identity infrastructure.
The system centers on KidsWallet, a mechanism that allows sellers to scan a QR code and confirm a buyer’s eligibility without receiving more personal information than the age check requires. Greek officials confirmed the mechanism is operational for physical retail and ready for online sales channels, with planned extension to social media platforms.
Retailers selling restricted products will register through Gov.gr and receive a QR-coded certificate confirming their inclusion in a national retailer register. The database gives inspectors an auditable map of licensed points of sale. A parallel registry covers private events involving minors, such as school dances, requiring organizers to file declarations through Gov.gr with a client confirmation that creates an accountable record for inspectors.
The approach keeps the package aligned with European privacy-preserving age assurance principles: verifying eligibility without exposing unnecessary personal data. Greece has been building out Gov.gr Wallet capabilities and expanding the role of digital credentials alongside broader EU Digital Identity Wallet developments. The European Commission published an age verification use case manual for the EUDI Wallet last week, making the Greek rollout timely as a national implementation already in operation.
Sources: eKathimerini, Euronews
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By the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
