Gov.gr Wallet: Over 300,000 digital IDs and driving licenses

More than 170 thousand digital IDs and 130 thousand digital driving licenses have already been issued through the platform wallet.gov.gr which was inaugurated last Wednesday. In total, the digital certificates that Greek men and women have chosen to download to their smart phones exceed 300 thousand.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the https://wallet.gov.gr platform was put into operation for citizens whose VAT number ends in 5who wish to activate their digital identity card and digital driving license.

It should be noted that the activation of the application is based on the citizens’ tax identification number, but the application is available for download at any time for both iPhone and Android mobile phones.

Installing and using the app is simple. The steps for citizens to obtain digital identity documents, absolutely equivalent to the simple identity card and the simple driver’s license, are reminded:

1. App installation and citizen authentication

The Gov.gr Wallet is already available in the app stores of the iOS and Android software and its use will be possible in parts according to the last digit of the citizen’s TIN, starting today with the number 1, on Thursday the 2 and so on .. Alternatively, citizens can download the application through the wallet.gov.gr page. For secure access to the application, the citizen is first identified with the codes in Taxisnet and then with the entry of a one-time password (OTP – One Time Password), which is sent to a mobile phone number that is confirmed to belong to the citizen. For this purpose, the citizen should before entering the application:

– either he has registered his mobile phone number in the National Register of Communications (NMR) via notify.gov.gr,

– either to have digitally certified his signature through gov.gr (Responsible Declaration, Authorization, Digital Document Certification, Private Agreement).

Once authenticated, the citizen is asked to give permission to receive notifications from the application, which are necessary for its operation due to the consent mechanism in case of verification of a digital document. In addition, he has the possibility to choose the activation of the possibility of easy access (quick login), which is provided according to the specifications of each device.

2. Making and storing copies

After entering the application environment, the citizen can with a few clicks create and save the digital copy of his ID and/or driver’s license. First he chooses which document he wants to issue and then he receives a one-time password (OTP – One Time Password) via SMS which he enters into the application. Immediately after, the document is created and saved in the application and in the wallet of the mobile phone. The same process is repeated again for each new copy version.

3. Digital copy details and authentication

The digital copies of the Gov.gr Wallet include all the information contained in the police IDs and driving licenses respectively. They also incorporate a QR code and a unique document code, through which their authenticity is verified. Especially, regarding the digital copy of the driver’s license, the photo that will be displayed is taken from the Register of Police Identity Cards of the Hellenic Police, therefore it will be the same as that of the police identity card and not necessarily the same as that of the driver’s license.

The authenticity of each digital copy is verified by its QR code. As soon as someone scans a citizen’s QR code through the same Gov.gr Wallet application, the latter receives a notification from the application in order to give approval to the controller in order to verify their information. After the citizen approves the check, a six-digit code appears on the screen of the application, which he must dictate or show to the checker, who in turn enters it on his own device. After the process is complete, then and only then the digital copy data is displayed once and only on the controller’s device, without the ability to save.

4. The ability to quickly verify

The citizen has the possibility to choose the quick verification function (quick scan) whenever he wishes. Through this specific function, the citizen essentially gives “pre-authorization” for the next and only check, as long as it takes place exclusively within the next five minutes. By displaying the quick scan QR code, the check is carried out faster, as the checker gains direct access to the citizen’s details. In this way, the citizen can be served more directly, especially in cases where congestion is observed or speed is required, such as e.g. entrance to concerts, planes, etc.

5. The ability to sign documents at docs.gov.gr

Finally, through the Gov.gr Wallet the citizen can sign faster and safer documents through docs.gov.gr. Specifically, if the citizen has installed the application on his mobile phone and saved his police ID, he will be able to choose and approve the issuance of a digital document through the application instead of receiving a one-time code (OTP – One Time) via SMS Password).

6. Loss or replacement of physical certificates and loss of device

If the citizen declares the loss of his police ID either in person at a police station or via gov.gr, then automatically and immediately any digital copy that has been issued is cancelled. The same applies if the citizen declares the loss of the driver’s license at a police station, at a KEP or at the Directorate of Transport of the competent Region.

In cases where a new ID card or new driver’s license is issued for a reason other than loss, then the digital copies of the older physical certificates are automatically canceled and digital copies of the new certificates must be issued, following the same procedure for their original issue.

In case of loss of the device where the digital copies are stored, the citizen can revoke the validity of the stored digital copies through the relevant service at gov.gr. Revocation of the physical copies does not invalidate the corresponding physical certificates.

7. How do I manage my digital identity and diploma?

– If I lose or get stolen my cell phone? I revoke the validity of digital documents through the relevant service at gov.gr

– If I lose or get stolen my physical ID and license? I report the loss as I should and through interoperabilities systemically revoke the validity of digital documents

– If my ID or license is withheld? (e.g. military service, removal of a diploma due to a violation of the Code of Conduct) The validity of the digital document is revoked (if I have already created it) or I am deprived of the possibility to issue it from the moment the organization that temporarily holds the document declares it in its system

– How are my digital and physical documents removed? Once I present the digital document, it is entered into the system of the institution which removes it and is immediately revoked. If I do not have the physical document with me, I will have to present it to the institution according to the applicable regulations (e.g. in the case of the driver’s license, presentation to AT within 3 days)

Necessary clarifications

Issuance of digital copies is permitted only if the citizen legally holds the corresponding physical certificate. Therefore, in cases of temporary or permanent revocation or detention of the police identity card and/or driver’s license, the registers operating in the application are automatically updated so that the citizen does not issue, store or use the corresponding digital copies.

A prerequisite for the use of Gov.gr Wallet is the installation of the latest version of the application.

In addition, each citizen can only store digital copies on one device. If you issue and store a digital copy on a second device, then the previous digital copies are automatically revoked.

The digital copies have exactly the same validity within the Greek territory as the corresponding physical certificates. Therefore, as of today, citizens can show them instead of their ID or driver’s license. Exceptionally, with regard to citizens’ transactions with credit institutions, with financial institutions and with providers of fixed and mobile telephony services, digital copies will start to be valid from 1 October 2022.

The digital copy of the identity card does not constitute a travel document. Therefore, it can only be used on domestic flights, but not on international flights or movements within the Schengen area.

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