The draft law of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence entitled: “Effective implementation in the Greek legal order of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1463 on the definition of the technical and functional specifications of the technical system for the automated cross-border exchange of documents and the application of the “one-time only” principle – other provisions”.
The bill establishes in practice internal measures for the implementation of the European regulation on the technical ‘one-stop shop’ system, enabling citizens and businesses to avoid repeatedly submitting the same documents to different public authorities in different Member States of the European Union, but to obtain the necessary documents automatically, securely and with the consent of the citizen.
“If a citizen wants to work in another country of the European Union, he or she will no longer have to seek and provide the necessary documents for work or residence,” said Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou.
The Minister explained that a European interoperable hub is being created. “This is not a system for storing personal data, but a secure mechanism for the circulation of certificates exclusively at the request of the citizen,” he noted, stressing that the system will operate in full compliance with the European framework for the protection of personal data.
In this context, issues relating to the operation of national gateways, cross-border electronic authentication through the eIDAS hub, as well as the creation of a National Cooperation Platform and a register for the matching of documents exchanged between Member States are regulated. The responsible body for the technical support and coordination of the system is the General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance. At the same time, the draft law includes a number of provisions that enhance the interoperability of public services and use digital tools to improve the daily lives of citizens and businesses. Among other things, the creation of a “Defective Vehicle Recall Register” is envisaged, through which vehicle owners will be immediately informed of critical technical problems and dangerous recalls of parts. Among other things, the Minister noted: “This is an intervention that substantially enhances road safety and can save lives. Through the ‘Register’, vehicle owners will be able to be informed immediately when replacement of problematic components, such as dangerous airbags, is required.”
In parallel, the “MyStreet” app is being upgraded with new geospatial data, as well as the addition of electric vehicle charging points, publicly available defibrillators and safe places for citizens to gather in case of emergencies.
The bill also provides for the establishment of a single mechanism for electronic communication between the Public Administration and citizens and businesses through a new functional service base at gov.gr. As Dimitris Papastergiou said, “gov.gr is now acquiring a single and more functional service base through the new “CRM” system, a project implemented with resources from the Recovery Fund, which enables citizens to monitor centralized requests and procedures that concern them.”
At the same time, a faster process is being established for the provision of at least 800 new interoperability modules between public information systems, speeding up data exchange and significantly reducing bureaucracy. Particular emphasis was also placed on the new regulations to protect citizens from online fraud. “Recently, there has been a significant increase in incidents of online fraud through misleading SMS and malicious links. The new regulation significantly accelerates the process of blocking malicious websites through the National Cybersecurity Authority, while at the same time establishing a “National List of Blocking Malicious Websites”, which will include websites related to phishing, online fraud and malicious attacks,” Dimitris Papastergiou said.
In addition, a “Registry of Eligible Entities” is being created, which will register businesses and entities that can utilize data verification functions through gov.gr and Gov.gr Wallet, such as age verification when purchasing tobacco products. During his speech, the Minister referred overall to the progress of the country’s digital transformation, noting that in April alone, 1.2 million affidavits, 758,000 authentication procedures and 8.7 million paperless prescriptions and 4.7 million paperless referrals were made through gov.gr, as well as 440,000 online appointments through the MyHealth App.
“Every digital transaction means less hassle, less travel and more time for the citizen, but also another step in the citizens’ trust in the state,” he said. Concluding his speech, the Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou stressed that our country is actively participating in European initiatives for the development of the AI ecosystem and digital infrastructure, noting that “Greece is gradually moving into a new era of digital operation of the state, with more speed, transparency and better services for citizens and businesses.”
