Mount Athos Requests Opt-out for Government Issued Personal Identification Number

Originally posted by the UOJ—Athonite Bureau

In a new letter addressed to the Minister of Digital Governance, Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou, the Holy Community of Mount Athos expresses its concerns regarding the legislative provision that mandates the compulsory issuance of a Personal Identification Number (P.I.N.) to all Greek citizens starting from August 3/16, 2024.

As the Athonite Fathers point out, the Personal Identification Number, which will be assigned for life to every individual and will be linked to a multitude of personal data within a unified information system of public administration, raises legitimate concerns both for them and for a significant portion of society.

The Holy Community emphasizes that there is no such obligation under European law and urges the government to consider making the Personal Identification Number optional rather than mandatory, based on the free choice of each citizen.

The letter concludes with an appeal to the Minister to respond positively to the request. It is signed by all the Representatives and Abbots of the twenty Holy Monasteries of the Athonite State.

The full text of the letter:

HOLY COMMUNITY OF MOUNT ATHOS
KARYES, April 1/14, 2025
Ref. No.: Φ.7/42/893

To the Honorable
Minister of Digital Governance
Mr. Dimitrios Papastergiou
Athens

Honorable Minister,

Having learned that following the recent passing in Parliament of the amendment proposed by the Ministry of Digital Governance regarding the "Inclusion of the Personal Identification Number on the Identity Cards of Greek Citizens," the issuance of the Personal Identification Number for all citizens is set to become mandatory as of August 3/16, 2024, we feel compelled to return to the matter.

The Personal Identification Number, which by law will be assigned to each individual and remain unchanged throughout their lifetime, will be capable of being linked to a wide range of personal data in a single system managed by the General Secretariat of Information Systems of Public Administration.

Given that there is no such requirement under European directives, we too — sharing the reasonable reservations of many Greek citizens and of ourselves, the Athonite Fathers — kindly request that you consider the possibility of not making the issuance mandatory, but optional, at the discretion of each citizen.

With deep respect and in the hope that you will address this matter positively, we remain with utmost honor and prayers.

All the Representatives and Abbots in the common Assembly
of the twenty Holy Monasteries of Mount Athos.

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