Digital government — Cyprus to Introduce 100 New Digital Government Services by 2026

Cyprus is set to enhance its digital government services by launching 100 new offerings in 2026, building on the progress made last year to streamline public administration. This initiative aims to simplify processes for both citizens and businesses while transitioning state operations to modern technological infrastructure.

• The nation aims for complete fibre coverage by 2026, alongside the development of a public-sector cloud and ongoing investments in cybersecurity to safeguard digital initiatives.
• Furthermore, AI technology is set to expand into the education sector, aligning with Cyprus’s commitment to implementing the European AI Act at the national level.

Digital government: Significant Growth in Digital Services

Deputy Minister of Research Nicodemos Damianou shared insights this week regarding the 2025 review and the upcoming plans for 2026. He acknowledged that 2025 marked a significant milestone in the nation’s digital transition, with a focus on deeper integration and interconnectivity among public sector systems.

In 2025, Cyprus exceeded its initial target by launching 75 new digital services, surpassing the goal of 60. The success of this expansion has set the groundwork for the introduction of over 100 additional services in 2026.

Increased Usage of Digital Services

The growth in digital services has led to a substantial increase in online engagement among citizens. More than 32,000 civil registry applications were submitted electronically, demonstrating a shift towards digital interactions. Additionally, for the first time, 16,000 student sponsorship applications were fully processed online, alongside over 13,000 military-related applications.

Financial services also saw a digital transformation, with 7,000 citizens receiving a total of €71.41 million through the National Solidarity Fund (NSF) platform. The educational service commission processed more than 58,000 teacher appointment and transfer applications electronically, showcasing the wide adoption of digital methods across various sectors.

New Integrated Systems and Upgrades

Cyprus is also implementing new integrated systems to further enhance its digital landscape. The electronic administration and education platform, known as eDEA, recorded 65,000 student registrations in 2025 and is set to expand in 2026 to include functionalities such as access to students’ grades, attendance records, and teacher placement procedures.

The customs system, which encompasses all import procedures, processed an impressive 1.2 million declarations within its first three months of operation. Additionally, the postal services platform has digitised both internal processes and public interaction points.

Alongside these new systems, existing platforms are undergoing significant upgrades. The Tax For All platform reported more than 360,000 employer declarations, and plans for 2026 include covering income tax and special defence contribution procedures.

The development licensing platform, Ippodamos, has also made strides, issuing over 40,000 permits, with monthly issuance rates rising by 190 per cent for building permits and 54 per cent for planning permits.

Future Developments in Digital Services

Looking to the future, various integrated platforms are set to be introduced. These include a road transport system for vehicle registration and driver licensing, a social insurance system offering digital access to benefits like maternity, sickness, and unemployment, and the Digipol police platform which will facilitate criminal record certificates and online reports.

Projects currently under development include the iJustice system, the EU entry-exit border control platform, the Registrar of Companies system, and a national early warning mechanism. Also, an electronic patient file is in the works, reflecting a commitment to improving public health services through digital means.

The Smart Cyprus project will progress, with its first phase expected to be completed in 2026, aiming to create a unified platform for smart city solutions across the nation. This will include a Smart Citizen mobile application that facilitates communication with local authorities and provides access to data such as electricity consumption.

Enhancing User Experience and Accessibility

The Digital Citizen application has already gained traction, surpassing 135,000 users and offering document interoperability with Greece. In 2026, it will expand to include features such as sports ticket purchases, child identity documents, residence permits for foreigners, and age-verification functions. An English version of the application is also anticipated.

The government portal, gov.cy, is experiencing significant traffic, with over one million visits per month. The digital assistant has answered more than 250,000 queries covering 137 topics. Plans are in place to include land registry and immigration issues to further enhance the user experience.

Support channels have also been improved, with electronic appointment scheduling and videoconferencing available at citizen service centres. The contact centre, accessible via live chat or a unified call centre, serves as a comprehensive information point for government digital services.

Commitment to Digital Inclusion and Infrastructure

Cyprus is focusing not only on expanding its services but also on promoting digital inclusion and infrastructure development. Digital training programmes reached 25,000 participants in 2025, particularly targeting older individuals and rural women. A new initiative in 2026 will provide daily assistance to elderly citizens navigating public services.

The nation aims for complete fibre coverage by 2026, alongside the development of a public-sector cloud and ongoing investments in cybersecurity to safeguard digital initiatives.

Artificial Intelligence Strategy

Artificial intelligence is a cornerstone of Cyprus’s digital strategy, with the national AI strategy nearing completion. The €5 million “AI for Government” programme invites companies to propose innovative solutions for public sector challenges. AI integration is planned for platforms like Ippodamos and iJustice, supported by the Pharos-CY AI Factory and a national supercomputer developed in collaboration with NVIDIA.

Furthermore, AI technology is set to expand into the education sector, aligning with Cyprus’s commitment to implementing the European AI Act at the national level.