QR-based age verification to curb underage sales
Greece on Wednesday introduced three new digital platforms designed to prevent minors from accessing alcohol, tobacco and vaping products, as part of a wider government strategy that combines technology, oversight and cross-sector coordination.
The tools were presented at a joint press conference held by the ministries of Health, Digital Governance and Citizen Protection.
The first platform is an electronic registry for private events involving minors—such as dances, school celebrations and graduation parties—requiring businesses to declare the type and date of each event through Gov.gr. Confirmed by the client, the declaration will support targeted inspections and help prevent illegal sales during youth events.
A second platform creates a national registry of retail outlets selling alcohol and tobacco products. Businesses must specify which products they sell via Gov.gr and will receive a QR-coded certificate verifying their registration. The system aims to map every point of sale nationwide and improve inspection efficiency. The registration deadline is January 31, 2026.
The third tool is a secure age-verification system for physical and online retail, based on the KidsWallet model. Retailers will scan a QR code to verify a customer’s age without accessing personal data. According to officials, the mechanism will also be integrated into social media platforms.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said the new systems complete reforms launched over the summer and make enforcement against underage sales stricter. “We have already seen a reduction in incidents. Unfortunately, they are not zero, which is why we are moving forward with new tools,” he stated.
Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou underscored the role of technology in safeguarding minors and said the age-verification infrastructure is fully ready for online deployment.
