A topic that has been troubling Cypriot students in Greece for some time has come to a successful conclusion, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Cyprus Government, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus, and the goodwill and necessary determination shown by the Greek Government.
Specifically, from now on, Cypriot students studying at higher education institutions in Greece will be able to obtain a Social Security Number (AMKA).
The previous inability to issue AMKA by the Greek competent authorities was causing many problems for Cypriot students.
The most serious of these problems was the fact that without AMKA, Cypriot students couldn’t access free medical care in Greece, which had significant financial implications for their families in case they needed medical treatment or medication.
Additionally, without AMKA, Cypriot students faced difficulties in completing their internships and, consequently, in finishing their studies and legally working during their student life.
The issue of issuing AMKA for Cypriot students in Greece had been raised by both the former and current Cypriot Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth to the Greek Minister of Education, Religion, and Sports.
It is noted that the National Student Union of Cypriots in Athens had repeatedly requested the simplification and acceleration of the AMKA issuance process for Cypriot students, given the considerable problems mentioned earlier.
The successful resolution of the issue was announced last week by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth with a press release, stating that the Greek Government has issued a circular titled “Instructions for the assignment and operation of the Social Security Number.”
Based on this circular, Cypriot students in Greece can now obtain AMKA by presenting their ID or passport and a certificate of studies from their University to the National Social Security Fund or to Citizen Service Centers operating in Greece.
Efforts to reach a positive outcome on this issue, which has been troubling Cypriot students in Greece for years, began under the previous administration.
However, crucial were the discussions held in November 2023 during the 1st Cyprus-Greece Intergovernmental Conference and the careful handling of the matter by both the Minister of Education, Athena Michailidou, and the President of the Republic of Cyprus himself.
