Joint Announcement of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Digital Governance (13.02.2022)

Faster and more efficient services to Greeks abroad – Registration of civil status documents in Consular Authorities

Registration of life events of Greeks living abroad is now being carried out through a new, simplified and fully digitized procedure. As of January 1, 2022, the administrative personnel of Consular Authorities draw up and register life events that take place abroad, directly in the “Citizens’ Registry” information system. This means that the hitherto particularly time-consuming procedure, which took many months, will now be completed directly and in real time, without the involvement of other services.

The new procedure is regulated by Joint Decision of Minister of State and Digital Governance Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Minister of Interior Makis Voridis, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Katsaniotis (Government Gazette B 6090/22.12.2021). This specific decision was issued in the framework of the National Program for Simplification of Procedures of the General Secretariat for Digital Governance and Simplification of Procedures.

This is a pioneering project that constitutes yet another step in the implementation of the government’s commitment to provide faster and more efficient services to Greeks abroad, promoting the image of a state that is friendly to expatriates. At the same time, it contributes significantly to the reduction of red tape and the modernization of the operation of Consular Authorities.

Minister of State and Digital Governance Kyriakos Pierrakakis stated: “Digitization and simplification of procedures have an even greater added value for those who do not have the opportunity due to time restrictions or because of the distance involved to come to the service counters. Greeks Abroad fall primarily in this category. Thus, for the last few days, they may register life events through a simpler and digitized process, which is completed in a single step, at the nearest Consular Authority. Technology is our ally in the coordinated effort we make to bring our fellow citizens living abroad closer to Greece”.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Diaspora Greeks and Public Diplomacy, Andreas Katsaniotis, said: “The Greek State stands firmly by the side of Diaspora Greeks and, true to its commitments, makes every effort to meet the needs of Expatriates everywhere. The direct registration of civil status documents of Greeks abroad in the “Citizens’ Registry” information system is a breakthrough development in the process that has been followed so far, which will further improve service to our Expatriates and strengthen their ties with the Motherland”.

Secretary General of Digital Governance and Simplification of Procedures, Leonidas Christopoulos, stated: “The main goal of the Government is to improve the daily lives of Greek citizens, not only in our country, but also abroad. We continue, through the National Program for Simplification of Procedures, to simplify procedures, improve the quality of public services provided and relieve citizens and public services from unnecessary bureaucratic burden. Each day we regain Greeks’ trust in the State”.