Cyprus to Begin Accepting Applications for Electronic ID Cards

Starting Monday, January 27, 2025, the Republic of Cyprus will begin accepting applications for the issuance of electronic identity cards. This service is available to Cypriot citizens over the age of 18 who already possess a biometric identity card.

The government is subsidizing 100,000 electronic identity cards for Cypriot citizens. The first 30,000 cards will be distributed free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, while the remaining 70,000 will be available for a fee of 15 euros.

The Electronic Identification (eID) provides a unique and secure way to identify each citizen. It allows users to access both public and private online services, and offers the added benefit of enabling citizens to sign electronic documents securely—just as they would with a handwritten signature, but with the same legal validity.

Cyprus’ national electronic ID card has been approved by the European Commission, meeting the highest security standards and being recognized under the "High Assurance" level of the eIDAS Regulation. It is registered under the name IDMe.cy, which means it can be used for cross-border electronic transactions within the European Union.

In the first phase of implementation, citizens who obtain the electronic ID will be able to log into government systems through CY Login using eID credentials. The electronic signature feature is already integrated into the "Ippodamos" system. Future plans include integrating the electronic ID into other government systems, such as the Department of Company and Intellectual Property Registration and the Department of Road Transport, which are currently under development.

For more information on electronic identity, supported services, usage methods, and the application process, you can visit the official website at www.idme.gov.cy.