As of today, Greek citizens permanently residing abroad will be able to register their mobile phone numbers in the National Communication Registry (EMEP), through the established Greek Consular Authorities. Even if they are not users of online banking with Greek banks or use mobile banking through smartphones operated by Greek mobile providers, they are still able to:
- issue acts of authorization and solemn declaration,
- use the Gov.gr Wallet, as well as
- access those digital services that require a second level of authentication, by sending an OTP (One Time Password).
The service is designed for Greek citizens who permanently reside abroad, and have a Taxpayer Identification Number. It is the result of the collaboration between the Ministries of Digital Governance and Foreign Affairs, and has been implemented by the General Secretariat of Information Systems for Public Administration.
The registration and verification processes will be carried out with a single visit of the Greek citizen to the Consular Mission of his/her place of residence. Every citizen can register with the EMEP only one mobile phone number, which could be verified in any of the following ways:
- by cross-checking the citizens’ given mobile number for the use of web banking
- by cross-checking the mobile phone number with the mobile telephony service provider (only for a Greek mobile phone)
- by a single in-person presence at a Citizens’ Service Centres (KEP) or a Consular Mission.
The EMEP was designed, put into effect, and is maintained by the General Secretariat of Information Systems for Public Administration of the Ministry of Digital Governance. Its effective operation was launched in March 2021, with the aim of:
- creating a central, unique, registration point for updated contact details of natural persons; and
- increasing the security of the citizen's transactions with public services through strong identification by sending a one-time password (OTP - One Time Password) to the citizens’ confirmed mobile phones, registered in the EMEP.
At the citizen’s discretion, all or part of the following data can be registered in the EMEP:
1. Mobile phone number (Greek or foreign).
2. Fixed telephone number
3. E-mail address to which the citizen wishes to receive public documents, administrative acts, and any kind of information/notifications from public bodies
4. Postal address of habitual residence at which the citizen wishes to receive public documents, administrative acts, and any kind of information/notification from public bodies
5. Contact postal address, if different from the address of habitual residence.
November 30, 2022