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Monday, 1.07.2024
eGovernment Forschung seit 2001 | eGovernment Research since 2001

Greece ranks third from the bottom among the 28 European Union member states in digital economy and society, according to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) publicized on Saturday.

The result of the European Commission study shows the performance of the 28 member states in a wide range of areas, from connectivity and digital skills to the digitization of businesses and public services. The main conclusion is that Europe is making progress but the gap is still very wide between the countries that have developed a strong digital economy and society and the countries with low performance.

Read more: Greece Third from the Bottom in Digital Economy/Society

The Greek government has started a new programme to increase access to the internet. Around 290,000 citizens have received vouchers providing a subsidy on internet service and a laptop or tablet. The 'Digital Solidarity' vouchers were distributed in eight regions and can be redeemed at a number of service providers. Users receive up to EUR 12 a month off a fixed or mobile broadband subscription and acquire a computer worth up to EUR 230. They also have access to ICT training at home on how to use services such as email and e-government.

Read more: Greece starts voucher programme to boost internet use

In May 2013, the Deputy Minister of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance, Mr Manousos Voloudakis, disseminated to all Citizen's Service Centres (KEP) a circular newsletter that provides guidance on the way in which a range of services to citizens – currently 81 – can be handled entirely electronically through the national portal HERMES.

More specifically, after technical and institutional amendments, the level of services to citizens has been improved for 81 electronic services such as the issuance of certificates, etc. For these services, the transaction between citizens and public administration can now be processed entirely electronically, without the citizen having to visit the required service in person, neither to apply nor to receive a certificate. The standardised procedures can be found on the homepage of HERMES under the heading Electronic Services.

Read more: GR: 81 services for citizens go digital

The European Commission has approved three major investments of € 389.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that will help Greece's recovery by modernizing the entire public administration, getting both the secondary and primary education systems online and extending high speed internet coverage to more than 600,000 people living in rural and remote areas. These three Information and Communication Technology projects will bring substantial benefits for citizens and are expected to create more than 1100 jobs during their implementation, with 280 permanent jobs created once the projects are fully up and running.

Read more: Digitalising Greece with more than EUR 389 million of EU regional funds

A new online payment system set to be introduced by the Administrative Reform Ministry promises to put an end to long queues at banks and tax offices.

Instead of having to go to a bank or tax office to pay the administrative fee (“paravolo”) required for a range of purposes such as starting a business, obtaining a marriage license or getting a new passport, citizens will be able to simply log on to a government website and pay by credit card or web banking.

Read more: GR: E-services aimed at cutting red tape

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