Gov.gr: the digital government platform now in operation

Gov.gr the online platform of the Greek government is a reality. The platform, which can  be accessed by computer or mobile phone, enables the completion and processing of time-consuming and bureaucratic procedures which  previously required  a physical presence at a Citizen Advice Bureau or police station.

Through the single digital platform gov.gr, implemented by the Ministry of Digital Government, citizens and businesses can find the digital services they want quickly and easily. Currently, the platform, which is still  in  test mode, includes more than 500 digital services from 14 departments, 32 agencies and organisations, and three independent authorities.

The available services are based on 'life events' (birth, insurance, setting up a business, etc.), and there is a search function for quick results. The user can also see all the services per ministry, institution, organsation or independent authority.

Initially, gov.gr functioned as an index of online services and directly provided  new  e-services for affidavits and powers of attorney. In its integrated form and through a single contact point, gov.gr will be the digital service centre that brings together all the solutions  and the information needed by citizens and businesses when dealing with the state. The platform will be added to continuously to meet all these needs.

In this phase, Taxisnet codes  are used for identification  and the documents  issued via gov.gr will bear a unique identifying number and electronic verification seal . In some cases, certification through the use of a mobile phone and SMS will be possible.

An innovation of the new platform gov.gr allows  citizens  to complete and electronically sign powers of attorney and affidavits, which can also be directly dispatched electronically to the relevant authority without the citizen having to go there in person.

Also being put into trial operation is the application for paperless prescriptions, to allow citizens to get their prescriptions via their mobile phones, without having to provide pharmacists with a printed copy.

From now on, every government department which is digitised will be available exclusively through gov.gr. A redesign of all existing digital services on gov.gr is expected to respond to these specifications. Thus, all new services will have a uniform design philosophy, meaning users  will not have to seek instructions for each individual platform.