Every child needs their own passport or ID card, and if they travel without one or both parents they usually also need written consent with a certified signature. Children can no longer travel registered in a parent’s passport.
In Greece, parental responsibility is as a rule exercised jointly by both parents (Civil Code, articles 1510 ff.). Travelling abroad, as an important decision for the child, therefore requires the agreement of both.
There is no single EU rule
The European Union does not prescribe a common form or obligation. Each country decides whether it requires parental permission, and a transit country may ask for it too. So check the rules of both the destination country and the airline.
Which documents are needed in each case
| The child travels | Travel document | Recommended consent |
|---|---|---|
| With both parents | Own passport or ID card (for EU/Schengen) | None |
| With one parent | Own passport or ID card | Declaration by the absent parent, with certified signature |
| With another adult (grandparent, uncle, coach, school) | Own passport or ID card | Declaration by both parents naming the escort |
| Alone (as an unaccompanied minor) | Own passport or ID card | Declaration by both parents + the airline’s unaccompanied minor form |
| With a parent who has sole custody | Own passport or ID card | Copy of the court custody decision |
What the declaration should say
A proper consent declaration includes:
- The child’s details (full name, date of birth, passport or ID number)
- Details of the consenting parent(s)
- Details of the escort and their relationship to the child
- Destination country, departure and return dates, flight numbers
- The parent’s contact phone number
The declaration is usually valid for one specific trip (outbound and return) to a specific destination.
How to certify the signature
- Digitally via gov.gr: issue a digital solemn declaration with your Taxisnet credentials. It carries a verification code and is the fastest option. It can also be issued in English.
- At a KEP citizen service centre or police station: signature certification free of charge, on presentation of ID.
- Abroad: at a Greek consular authority, where certification is usually charged.
If one parent is a citizen of a non-EU country, certifying their signature is particularly important.
Translation and Apostille
For travel outside Greece, the declaration must be understandable to the authorities at the destination. The English version of the gov.gr digital declaration covers most cases. For non-EU countries with strict checks (e.g. South Africa, Canada, some Latin American countries), check whether an official translation or an Apostille stamp is required.
School trips and sports teams
When the child travels with a school or club, ask the organisation for its own form. Usually a declaration from both parents naming the responsible escort is required. Keep a copy on the phones of both the parent and the escort.
Travel agency tip
The declaration is not always requested, but when it is and it is missing, the child may be refused boarding. It takes a few minutes on gov.gr, so prepare one for every trip without both parents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a declaration needed if the child travels only with their mother? A declaration from the father with a certified signature is strongly recommended, and vice versa.
Is the gov.gr digital declaration valid abroad? Yes, it carries a verification code; issue it in English as well.
Can a child travel on a parent’s passport? No, every minor needs their own travel document.
Sources: Your Europe – Documents for minors travelling in the EU · Olympic Air – Children’s travel documents · alfavita.gr – Travelling abroad with a child
Validity: This article reflects the sources as of 24/06/2026 (most recent source; the Your Europe page was checked on 17/02/2026). Later changes are not included.
Photo: Leeroy / StockSnap.io, CC0 – free to use (source)