AMKA: new rules for issuing and deactivating social security numbers

A joint ministerial decision was signed (ΚΥΑ) nine relevant ministries, which determines a new scheme for issuing a social security number (ΑΜΚΑ), as well as the conditions for its activation or deactivation.

ΚΥΑ clearly identifies beneficiaries, separates the initial issuance stage AMKA from the activation stage and simplifies the handling of bypass phenomena using electronic cross-checks.

The main objectives of the reform undertaken with the adoption of AMKA are:

1. Modernization of the structure AMKA with the introduction of separate stages of issuance and activation.
2. Digitization of AMCA and interoperability of institutions improves the quality of service to citizens and simplifies cross-checking of data.
3. Limitation of such bypass phenomena as the issuance of AMCA by persons who are not beneficiaries and their continued use of the number to receive free medical care or receive social benefits.

According to the decision, the beneficiaries of AMKA are:

1. citizens of Greece,
2. citizens of member states of the European Union,
3. third country nationals or stateless persons,
4. minors.

As the decision states, AMCA, after being issued to beneficiaries, remains inactive and is activated upon proof of legal residence and actual stay in the country. An identity card or a Greek passport is considered as proof of legal residence. Proof of actual residence is considered to be confirmation of tax residence, a certificate of employment from the employer or an employment contract posted on the website ΕΡΓΑΝΗ.

The decision also makes a distinction in cases where AMCA is issued to Greek citizens, citizens EUthird country nationals and stateless persons:

1. For issuing AMKA to Greek citizens or expatriates

For Greek citizens, an identity card or Greek passport is required as proof of legal residence, access to the labor market and inclusion in the social security system.

2. For the issuance of AMKA to citizens of Member States of the European Union

A valid ID card or passport from a European Union member state is required as proof of legal residence, access to the labor market and membership of the social security system.

3. For issuing AMKA to third country citizens and stateless persons

A valid third-country passport or a valid travel document of an internationally protected person, as well as a valid residence permit with a valid right to access the labor market, are required as proof of legal residence, access to the labor market and membership of the social security system.

For those who objectively do not have a passport, beneficiaries of international protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection, a valid document of residence in the country with the right to access the labor market is sufficient.

What is provided for migrant refugees
It also explains that the decision makes special provisions for vulnerable groups such as homeless people and asylum seekers. For asylum seekers, a Temporary Alien Insurance and Health Care (PAAYPA) number is automatically issued along with the International Protection Applicant Card, which ensures the provision of medical care. If the asylum petition is accepted, PAAYPA is converted to AMKA, and if the petition is rejected, PAAYPA is automatically deactivated.

For homeless people, there is a provision that a certificate of use of services from a hostel or a certificate from the social services of a municipality or community center is sufficient to confirm residence.

As stated in the joint ministerial decision, AMCA is deactivated if any of the following criteria are not met:

1. legal residence or
2. access to the labor market; or
3. effective residence in the country, with the exception of minor beneficiaries; or
4. if the social security number of the directly insured person is deactivated, in the case of indirectly insured adults or minors.

In case of AMKA deactivation, holders have the opportunity temporarily activate it once for 30 daysduring which they must provide the necessary documents, as stated above, for its reactivation.

Tsakloglou: The goal is to check the legality
Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Panos Tsakloglou said: “With the publication KYA AMKA status is reformed with the main purpose of monitoring the legality of every contact of citizens with the Greek social security system for access to the National Health System and all types of benefits, both insured and uninsured.

The new regulation introduces a procedure for activating and deactivating the number if the AMKA holder ceases to comply with the requirements of the law and, above all, if he ceases to reside permanently and legally in Greece.

The goal of the Ministry of Labor is, on the one hand, to better serve citizens, and on the other, to avoid the phenomena that were observed in previous years, namely: the issuance of AMKA to non-beneficiaries, the provision of false documents or the continued use of the number by non-beneficiaries to receive a free health care or social benefits.

Source link