The Information Society, which is the central hub of the Ministry of Digital Governance for the design, development and implementation of projects that strengthen the citizen’s digital relationship with the Public Administration, also plays a catalytic role in the achievement of digital actions to support citizens and businesses. 
With a legacy of expertise and experience in the implementation of demanding social programmes (Freedom Pass, Freedom Pass Data, Digital Care, Fuel Pass, Power Pass) carried out over the past two years, the Information Society has successfully completed the action of “Market Pass”.
The programme, in which the deadline for submitting applications expired on Wednesday, 15 March, concerns the financial support of households, in order to cover part of the increased costs of purchases, in particular for food products, due to the significant increase in the consumer price index.
The Market Pass was announced by the Prime Minister on 17 December 2022 and started on 21 February 2023. 25 days after its completion (by March 15th),the Information Society subsidised approximately 2,900,000 beneficiaries of the programme with EUR 510,000,000 (in total for six months: February – July 2023).
As far as the allocation is concerned, 2,200,000 beneficiaries received a bank deposit in their accounts with a total amount of €365,000,000 and 645,300 beneficiaries received a digital debit card with a total amount of €145,000,000.
The Managing Director of the Information Society, Mr. Stavros Asthenidis highlighted the following for the Market Pass: “We have stressed many times that digital policy is by definition a social policy for all, but also an added value for our fellow citizens who need it most. In this direction, once again, all of us in the Information Society have worked together to implement a demanding programme, such as the Market Pass. To make clear that the digital transformation is the catalyst for social progress when technology is used as a ‘public interest instrument’. All these aid actions are focused on the citizen. Thus, we managed to complete the Market Pass project with speed, consistency and transparency, allocating to approximately 2,900,000 beneficiaries of the programme more than 500 million Euros”.
