In a major step toward modernising the Greek state, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday unveiled the new Personal Citizen Number during a ministerial meeting, announcing its integration into the updated police identification cards.
For the first time, Greek citizens will be able to use a single identification number for all interactions with the public sector.
“Essentially, the new Personal Number becomes the ‘key’ for unlocking any transaction with the public sector,” Mitsotakis stated, noting that it will complement existing numbers like the Tax ID (AFM), Social Security Number (AMKA), and current police ID numbers. He congratulated all those involved in bringing the project to digital life, emphasising its significant contribution to the broader modernisation of the Greek state.
The Personal Number will serve as a unique and lifelong identifier, replacing the need for multiple state-issued numbers. It aims to improve the efficiency of public services, close long-standing gaps in inter-agency communication, and correct inconsistencies in state records.
“Our ambition is simple: each citizen will now only need to remember one personal number. It will be theirs, shaped in part by them, and designed to facilitate seamless communication with the state,” Mitsotakis explained.
The new number will be automatically embedded in the updated police ID cards—set to replace the older ‘blue’ IDs currently in circulation—in compliance with European Union directives. Citizens can expect faster issuance of the new cards, particularly in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, as the Citizen Protection Ministry works to streamline the process and expand access.
“The new ID card is itself a symbol of the state’s digital progress. We encourage all citizens to apply for one as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister urged.
According to government sources, the Personal Number will also enhance the reliability of national statistics by improving the accuracy of state data. Citizens will generate part of their number via the myInfo application on the gov.gr portal. This platform will also allow them to verify and correct their personal data before the number is issued.
The digital platform is set to launch in early June. Once issued, the Personal Number will appear on the back of the new police ID cards and act as the primary digital identifier—equivalent to a physical ID number and photo in the real world.
Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou highlighted the practical advantages of the reform: “The Personal Number will help citizens navigate the state more easily, eliminating errors in public records and bringing order to fragmented state databases. Eventually, one number will replace the need for four.”
The presentation was led by Secretary General of Information Systems and Digital Governance Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos.
Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis also provided an update on the rollout of the new police ID cards. Over 1.7 million new IDs have already been issued, with 371 designated issuing centers operating across the country. The Hellenic Police currently processes around one million ID cards annually, and plans are underway to reinforce issuing departments with additional personnel and extend working hours, including Sundays.
Chrisochoidis encouraged citizens to take advantage of shorter wait times by applying for new IDs at local police stations during their holidays outside major cities.
The introduction of the Personal Number marks a significant leap forward in Greece’s digital governance strategy, aimed at simplifying citizen-state interactions and aligning the country with broader European digital transformation goals.
Source: Amna