Greece has officially launched its new Personal Citizen Number (PCN), a major development in the country’s digital governance infrastructure. Announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a ministerial meeting, the PCN is intended to become a universal identifier for citizens across all public services, reducing bureaucracy and streamlining interactions with the state.
One Identifier for All Public Sector Transactions
The PCN is a unique, lifelong number assigned to each Greek citizen. It is designed to simplify public sector transactions by replacing the need for multiple legacy identifiers. Although the existing Tax ID (AFM) and Social Security Number (AMKA) will remain valid for now, the new number will serve as the primary means of identification for most services.
“The new Personal Number becomes the ‘key’ for unlocking any transaction with the public sector,” Mitsotakis stated. The number is being introduced through the myInfo application on the gov.gr portal. Citizens can review and correct their records from four central registries, and even participate in shaping the final number by selecting part of its composition. In cases where discrepancies are found, such as name misspellings, an in-person visit may be required to finalize corrections.
The PCN is a 12-digit alphanumeric code, with the first nine digits corresponding to a citizen’s AFM. The remaining three digits include two characters that citizens can choose themselves. This personalized component is intended to foster greater user engagement with the new system.
New ID Cards and Data Protection Measures
The PCN will be integrated into newly issued police identification cards, replacing the current “blue” IDs. This update follows earlier government mandates for digital ID numbers and aligns with European Union directives aimed at harmonizing identification systems across member states. The rollout also fits within the EU’s broader plans for an interoperable European Digital Identity (EUDI) wallet.
Authorities have confirmed that current ID cards will remain valid until they expire. Citizens are encouraged to apply for the new IDs during less busy periods, particularly in areas outside Athens and Thessaloniki, to avoid potential delays. Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis advised using the summer holiday period as an ideal time to complete the update process.
Officials emphasized that the PCN system complies with European data protection regulations, and the design includes encryption and other privacy safeguards. Oversight is being provided by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. While the initiative has received broad support, some opposition lawmakers and privacy advocates have raised concerns about long-term surveillance risks and the need for transparent oversight mechanisms.
Sources: Greekcitytimes, The National Herald, Proto Thema
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May 26, 2025 – by Ali Nassar-Smith
