Digital Citizen

@Drambuie

Hello, can you also post the link to your information source please ?

Thank you

Bhavna

Oh no more waiting in line or for things to arrive in the post lol let's hope it is soon 😊

@Bhavna

This is the link to the article

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/d … reaucracy/

Further details

Digital Citizen initiative for streamlined services

Governance program promises upgrades to daily life and state structures

President Nikos Christodoulides announced a series of policy actions aimed at improving citizens' daily lives and enhancing their overall quality of life, alongside legislative and other initiatives geared towards modernizing state structures and institutions.

The announcement came Monday evening during the presentation of the 2024 Governance Program.

Speaking at a press conference at the Presidential Palace, President Christodoulides commenced with the pillar "Enhancing Citizens' Daily Life," highlighting the "Digital Citizen" initiative. This initiative features a mobile application designed to serve as the focal point for individuals, gradually integrating the full spectrum of government digital services.

The President emphasized the initial focus on Electronic Signatures and Digital Identity, noting that by 2024, citizens will electronically sign applications for benefits and official documents, which will be transmitted electronically to relevant authorities, eliminating the need for physical presence.

Simultaneously, official documents such as driver's licenses, biometric identities, and vehicle fitness certificates will undergo digitization and will be accessible through the "Digital Citizen" application.

In 2024, the digital system "IPODAMOS" of the Department of Town Planning and Housing will expand to cover all licensing processes, significantly reducing bureaucracy.

President Christodoulides highlighted the ongoing revision of the town planning licensing system, streamlining related procedures.

Within this framework, implementation has begun for 22 specific actions, aiming for completion by June 2024, with a primary focus on expediting urban planning and building permits for small-scale residential developments, involving private sector experts.

President Christodoulides emphasized the commitment to combat bureaucracy, ensuring the prompt disbursement of all entitlements to beneficiaries.

"Following the one-month disbursement of statutory pensions, our goal for 2024 is for Social Security Fund benefits and allowances, starting with maternity benefits, to be disbursed within 30 days," he stated. Furthermore, as part of the Minimum Guaranteed Income streamlining efforts, all applications will be processed within 60 days.

In a bid to support young couples, President Christodoulides announced the immediate advancement of legislation to extend maternity leave from 18 to 22 weeks, with plans under consideration to expand parental leave.

The initiatives outlined by President Christodoulides underscore Cyprus' commitment to fostering citizen-centric governance and leveraging digital solutions to enhance administrative efficiency and public service delivery.

Source https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/new … s-glitches

Thank you for stepping in Toon as I hadn't seen the request by @Bhavna.

Things are slowly but surely improving in Cyprus. A few days ago I was asked to assist a friend who became unable to work due to a fall.

She had no clue how to claim sickness benefit due. Despite having no experience we managed to complete the entire application online. Very gratifying to receive confirmation from the relevant authority the next morning that all was in order, her Employers had confirmed by email and her case was being processed.

Let's hope so..and well done .....however in contrast my wife and I got individual.emails sent.to us from GESY advising us that our eligibility documents were about to expire and they named residency document and we needed to update them. Our MEU3s do not have an expiry date at all....  However our white medical cards are due to be renewed end of this month ....  So maybe they are confused ... Track back three months when I realised the renewal was due in Feb 2024 I contacted GESY and HIO at that time they informed us that they would be renewed automatically....

So we contacted them for advise...last week  and have sent copies of both documents and still no reply.or even acknowledgement...contacted CSC too no reply there either..

Will give it till next week and if no reply  then I guess it's a trip to CSC in paphos to sort it out.

@Toon

Sorry to hear of more inconvenience for you. It did though prompt me to check my own S1 and it expires end of 2024. Please advise as your remedy unfolds.

@Drambuie

How spooky... got word back this afternoon that my renewed card is now ready for collection so will wait for the wife's renewal then collect .....

@Toon

Ah! the power of collected thought!

What are your thoughts on the lottery

I wish but then I would have to buy a ticket lol

That's handy buy one for me when your there.

@Drambuie

Both medical cards ready for collection so will call in to The Citizen Service Centre Paphos tomorrow to collect

Excellent service, good to see that administration is improving.

@Drambuie

To be fair the Citizen Service Centre in Paphos is and has always been superb. service...unlike the immigration depts

Yes I agree, my interaction with CSC has generally been positive.

Can't say the same of immigration. Some very unprofessional employee's.

Although with both departments, I have found if you stand your ground it has a positive outcome.