Cyprus gearing up for introduction of electronic IDs

Cyprus is about to join an elite list of countries providing their citizens with the option to use electronic identification documents for a growing range of services.

A significant step was taken on 8 October when the Cabinet gave the green light to 100,000 electronic identities (eIDs) being made available to Cypriot citizens aged over 18.

The application and identification process for the provision of the eIDs will be announced soon and be undertaken through the Citizen Service Centres.

The Cabinet has decided that the first 30,000 electronic identity cards will be made available free of charge on a first come first served basis to encourage the practice.

For the remaining 70,000, the state will subsidise a significant part of the cost, with the final cost to the citizen being.

Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou said the distribution of the electronic IDs is expected to begin within two months and that the documentation would be valid for three years.

It is worth noting that the move adds Cyprus to a list of some 32 countries around the world, as of October 2024, that already use eIDs for various purposes, including online authentication, digital signatures, and access to government services.

The 32 are Estonia, Germany, India, Japan, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and Greece.

Estonia is widely considered to be a global leader in digital innovation and is known for its digital ID system that stands out with its advanced security and efficiency.

The Estonian digital ID, also called eID, has been in place for some two decades and offers over 600 e-services to its citizens and 2,400 to businesses.

It allows users to access a wide range of functionalities, from paying bills to voting to prescriptions, with blockchain technology and biometric integrations fortifying data integrity and security.

According to the Estonian government, 99% of the population has a Digital ID and over 1 billion digital signatures have been signed so far, saving an estimated 5 days per year.

Sweden's digital identification infrastructure, meanwhile, is mainly formed by the BankID system, an electronic ID verification service that also functions as a digital passport or driving license.

Returning to Cyprus, as the government has pointed out, the eIDs to be used by Cypriot holders will provide proof of their unique, secure identity in the online world, enabling authentication on online services - starting with government information systems.

At the same time, the eIDs will allow holders to securely sign electronic documents, using e-signatures with the same legal standing as a handwritten signature.

It is worth noting that the introduction of the Republic of Cyprus’ national electronic identity card has been approved by the European Commission at the highest level of security (High Assurance), under the registered name of IDMe.cy and will be able to be used for cross-border electronic transactions within the European Union.

Damianou noted that the launch of the eIDs was a particularly important step falling within the framework of actions of the "Digital Citizen" umbrella project, which President Nikos Christodoulides announced at the beginning of 2024, and through which the Government will provide citizens with useful digital tools and solutions.

“The use of the electronic identity (eID) and the interconnected electronic signature is not limited only to citizens' transactions with the state, but also for private or other professional use. It is an important tool for the economy itself. A mechanism that can be used, beyond the Government, by businesses and professionals with the aim of developing the market in terms of simplifying procedures, increasing efficiency and combating time-consuming bureaucratic procedures. It enables businesses to further digitise the electronic relationship with their customers where the legal weight of a handwritten signature is required or the absolute identification of their citizen-customer, while reducing their operational and administrative costs,” the Deputy Minister noted.

He also underlined that, in the area of government services, the use of electronic identity enables the further development of digital solutions, for which the process will be fully completed digitally.

“The first system in which this feature has been implemented is the Ippodamos system where applications for planning and building permits are submitted and signed by architects and researchers using the eID, while public officials sign - also electronically - the relevant authorisation that leads to the issuance of the permit. The electronic signature will gradually be integrated into other government systems, such as the Tax Department, the Road Transport Department and the Registrar of Companies,” Damianou added.

At the same time, in the context of the evolutionary implementation of digital services, the government has identified a series of services where the relevant application - which is currently only offered in paper form - can be signed electronically and sent electronically, via email, to the relevant government agencies.

The Deputy Minister listed examples such as Applications for Paternity Allowance and Parental Leave, for Allowances concerning people with disabilities, but also applications for the issuance of a Cypriot and European hospital card.

“For the Government, digital transformation is one of our highest priorities. There are challenges, however, we are aiming for the gradual implementation of what we have promised, aiming at the modernisation and progress of the country, but also a positive impact on the everyday life of the Cypriot citizen,” he said.