Greece is going digital with the official launch of Data.gov.gr, the national portal that aspires to become the “key” to the country’s open data. At the Ministry of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou made it clear that data is no longer a theory, but the ultimate tool for innovation and growth. The new platform is a revolutionary model for the functioning of the state, offering citizens, researchers and businesses direct access to valuable information. The aim is to achieve full transparency and turn knowledge into a driving force for the digital economy of the new era.
Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou described the launch of the platform as a “very big moment” for public administration and Greek digital policy, stressing that “there is no artificial intelligence without open data”. He said that for years the country had a significant deficit in the open data sector, noting that “there was a black hole” around the availability and availability of public data.
He stressed that the task was not easy, as “it is a difficult task to convince the Greek public sector to open its data,” explaining that for decades the necessary culture of data utilization and availability had not existed. “Open data is wealth and we need to understand its value,” he said.
The minister particularly stressed the importance of quality and timeliness of data, noting that it is not just about gathering large amounts of information, but about having reliable, up-to-date and reusable data. As he said, this data can be a “source of basis for new applications”, boosting innovation, startups, the university community and research activity.
Referring to the progress of the project, Dimitris Papastergiou said it was an “overdue” step towards modern digital governance, noting that Greece had to catch up with other European countries. He recalled that a few years ago there were only 80 datasets available, while today the new portal brings together 9,523 open datasets, 31,441 data resources, 22 data services and 455 organisations.
During the event, reference was also made to the use of artificial intelligence in public services, with the minister linking Data.gov.gr to the wider digital ecosystem being created in the country. In this context, he also mentioned the new digital infrastructures being developed, noting that “soon Daedalus will begin to strike”, referring to the new possibilities that are expected to be created in the field of artificial intelligence and data analysis.
At the same time, the minister made special reference to the need for continuous cooperation with society, the university community and research institutions, so that data can be used effectively and return value to citizens.
For his part, the special secretary for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, Vassilis Karkatzounis, described the project as a “collective effort” that requires the participation of all public institutions. Presenting the vision and mission of the new platform, he stressed that the Data.gov.gr portal is now the central directory of open data of the Hellenic Republic, providing unified access to public sector data.
According to him, the vision of the platform is based on four main pillars: simple, transparent and reliable access to public data, improving its quality and reuse, enhancing innovation and informed decision-making, and continuous improvement of the platform through collaboration with organisations, citizens and businesses.
Particular emphasis was also placed on the institutional framework for the operation of the portal. Vassilis Karkatzounis clarified that publishing open data “is not an option, but a legal obligation”. As he explained, the new philosophy of the state is based on the principle of “open by default – closed if there is a reason”
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“All data is published open in principle unless there is a specific reason not to publish it, such as privacy issues,” he said, adding that now “an exception needs justification” and that “the burden of proof changes hands.”
An important part of the presentation was devoted to data quality. It was pointed out that the new portal does not aspire to function as a mere “repository of files”, but as an organised data infrastructure with specific quality characteristics.
For this reason, each dataset included in the platform will have to meet criteria related to metadata completeness, regular updates, use of open formats, clear licensing, privacy and interoperability. The path to the current form of the platform was described as a “long journey” that started as early as 2013. According to the data presented, in 2020 there were only 83 datasets from 28 organisations, while in 2025 the Special Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance was established, which took over the coordination of the national strategy.
During the presentation, the key benefits expected to result from the widespread availability of open data were also highlighted. It was pointed out that access to public data enhances transparency and democracy, as citizens gain the ability to scrutinise the actions of the state through real data. At the same time, trust in institutions is strengthened.
Special reference was also made to the economic dimension of the project. According to ministry officials, open data creates a significant economic impact, as businesses and startups can use it to develop new products and services without acquisition costs. Significant benefits are also expected for the operation of the public sector, as the existence of centrally available data reduces bureaucracy and reduces the need for duplication of procedures between agencies. As highlighted, agencies will now be able to use existing data instead of “rebuilding what already exists”, which enhances cooperation between ministries and agencies.
At the same time, the new platform is expected to serve as a critical tool for informed decision-making, as well as for research and innovation. Universities and researchers gain access to large datasets on health, climate, society and other areas, without requiring special licences or additional funding to collect them.
At the European level, the interconnection with the European portal data.europe.eu is expected to make Greek data visible and usable across Europe, strengthening the country’s position in the European digital ecosystem. Particular emphasis was also placed on the environmental and social value of the data, as information on energy, environment and climate can be used for the design of policies related to the green transition and sustainable development.
The Data.gov.gr portal already includes a wide range of thematic categories, such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food, education, culture and sports, environment, health, justice and public safety, population and society, transport, economy and financial issues, energy, government and public sector, international issues, regions and cities, science and technology, and artificial intelligence.
According to ministry officials, the development of the platform is part of projects funded by the Recovery Fund, while the next major goal is to convince even more institutions to open their data and keep it continuously updated and of high quality, according to the AP-MPA.
@ellada24gr Papastergiou on Data.Gov.Gr : More than 9,000 public data now available free to citizens #politics #greeknews #newsfeed #ellada24 #foryourpage #ellinikotikok #greektikok #tiktokgreece #foryou #fy #politicstiktok #politicsnews #fyp #politiki ♬ original sound – Ellada24
