Citizen Information Centers proving popular interface with public sector

Citizen Information Centers, known as KEPs in Greek, are to be given further resources with the aim of making them the only point of contact between Greeks and the public sector, according to Administrative Reform Ministry plans.

There are a total of 1,060 KEPs around the country. They have recently been connected to the public administration’s electronic network, allowing them to deal with citizens’ requests for a range of documents and services more speedily.

According to the ministry, KEPs have been asked to respond to almost 2.5 million cases over the last 12 months, while 1,025,331 requests over the last five months have been dealt with in less than two minutes. This has left nine out of 10 applicants satisfied with the service they have received at KEPs, according to a survey conducted by the ministry.

At the moment, KEPs can deal with 473 actions but the government hopes to keep adding to this. In October, citizens will for the first time be able to apply for their pension from the Social Insurance Institute (IKA) at KEPs. The information centers will also soon be able to provide all the paperwork required by the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED).

According to data provided by the ministry, the most common requests at the information centers are for documents needed for marriages or to register births.