Prepaid cell/mobile phone cards in Greece – Registration begins

November 8, 2009 at 10:30 · Filed under Phones

Whether you’re living in Greece or just visiting on vacation, using a prepaid cell/mobile phone card or καρτοκινητό (kartokinito) is a convenient and easy way to connect and keep in touch without the commitment. However, users can no longer be anonymous.

The new government that took power October 5 has decided to uphold and implement law 3783/2009, which strips prepaid cell/mobile phone users of anonymity and requires them to register. This measure was to take effect in July, but cell phone companies and unions resisted (see the original article from May, “Prepaid cell phone cards in Greece to lose anonymity“).

Cosmote and Wind Hellas began mandatory registration of new users November 8; Vodafone has not announced its intentions.

All existing users — regardless of company — will have until July 30, 2010 to register before the phone number is blocked and remaining talk time/credit erased. Each company has a different policy (detailed below), and this article will be updated as new information comes available.

There are 13.5 million prepaid cell/mobile numbers in existence, but only 9 million are active in the hands of 6.8 million users. With only 215 days until the deadline, it means service providers need to register 41,860 phone numbers or 31,268 users a day, in addition to new customers.

Where to buy them

New users can purchase a connection pack for €5 at all the usual places: Periptera (kiosks), post offices, psilikatzidiko mini markets and, of course, direct from cell/mobile phone company stores and their commercial associates (i.e., Germanos, Multirama, One-Way, etc.).

Recharge, renewal or “top up” cards are also available at the same locations.

Be careful when buying connection packs from unauthorized outlets, as there are some pay-as-you-go SIM cards that are given away free at clubs and cafes, and award users a €5 credit if a minimum amount of air time is purchased every month by a certain date. Some online/street vendors do not disclose the expiration date and/or allow potential buyers to believe the connection pack is good after this date; it is not.

How much does it cost?

Aside from the cost of the connection pack, all products include 19 percent value-added tax (VAT); and a 12 percent tax is automatically deducted from the amount of talk time you purchase.* There is no charge to receive calls.

Each company has a multitude of plans with prices for domestic and international sms (short message service or text message), MMS and per minute charges for phone calls to land lines and cell/mobile phones in the same or different network. Doing a comparison would be time-consuming and impossible to keep current because prices and terms change often.

There are always special offers as companies compete for millions of users, and promotions are frequently broadcast via sms in Greek or advertised on company Web sites in Greek and English.

* Certain purchases allow the user to keep the 12 percent tax.

How to register

Before using your prepaid phone for the first time to make a call or send sms/MMS, the SIM card will need to be registered. There is no fee to register, but it cannot be done online or by phone.

If for some reason you cannot appear in person, you can certify a dilosi (statement of facts) at a police station or KEP that assigns a representative to register and sign for you. See, “How to certify a dilosi or other document in Greece.”

If you have an existing prepaid cell/mobile card, are abroad and have no plans to be in Greece before the deadline, the same certification must be made with the nearest Greek Consulate or Greek Embassy, which is supposed to offer KEP services. See, “Greek Embassies and Consulates Worldwide.”

1. Cosmote (CosmoKarta, What’s Up, Frog Mobile, Ciao): From November 8, 2009

Existing users: An existing user is defined as anyone who activated a prepaid cell/mobile SIM card on or before November 7, 2009.

New users: A new user is defined as anyone who purchased a prepaid cell/mobile SIM card on or after November 8, 2009. Connection packs will continue to be available at all the usual places, but activation will require that the user register in person.

New and existing users must:
a) Appear in person at any Cosmote, OTEshops or Germanos location. Find a Cosmote, OTEshop or Germanos nearest you (in English).
b) Bring the SIM card or 20-digit number on its face.
c) Show a national ID card (tautotita) or passport (Note: Non-EU citizens are supposed to show an unexpired permit, but their policy did not state this in writing or by phone when I inquired. As this is Greece, they could still ask).
d) Sign a declaration that the information provided is true and correct.
e) Specify if they want to be unlisted or included in the directory.

Users of multiple numbers can register all at the same time with no restriction. Users aged under 18 must have a parent register them. All future changes to personal data and any loss/theft must be reported immediately.

2. Wind Hellas (Wind F2G/B-Free, Wind International, Q Card, Mo’Mad, AB): From November 8, 2009

Existing users: An existing user is defined as anyone who activated a prepaid cell/mobile SIM card on or before November 7, 2009.

New users: A new user is defined as anyone who purchased a prepaid cell/mobile SIM card on or after November 8, 2009. Connection packs will continue to be available at all the usual places, but activation will require that users register, and a recorded message will remind them of this fact.

New and existing users must:
a) Appear in person at any of Wind Hellas’ 400 authorized locations. Find a Wind Store nearest you (in English).
b) Bring the SIM card or 20-digit number on its face.
c) Show a national ID card (tautotita) or passport (Greek and EU citizens); passport and photocopy plus original unexpired residence permit or alien’s card (non-EU residents of Greece); passport (non-EU visitors to Greece);
d) Sign an application that the information provided is true and correct.
e) Specify if they want to be listed or unlisted in the directory (you can change your mind at any time).

Users of multiple numbers can register all at the same time with no restriction. Users aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All future changes to personal data or any loss/theft must be reported immediately.

Non-EU residents of Greece without permits are ineligible to register prepaid phones with Wind, and their numbers will be blocked. (Asking a friend or relative to register your number in his or her name will assign them complete responsibility, and I recommend against it.)

3. Vodafone (Vodafone Prepaid, formerly a la Carte; CU, Olympiakos, Vodafone International, Carrefour): No start date.

Vodafone is the only company that has not yet officially announced implementation and its policy for registration.

How to recharge

All scratch cards are available from the same locations as connection packs, and electronic recharge, renewal and top-ups can be made from physical stores, certain bank ATMs within Greece and online, via cash/debit/credit card, e-banking and remotely.

Each company has its own set of denominations ranging from €1 to €50. To get a sense of the options available, click the brand of interest: Cosmote Renewal, Vodafone Top Up, Wind Airtime Renewal.

Unless otherwise stated, a Greek SIM card and the credit or units are good for one year from the date of last recharge, renewal or top-up.

Changing device

Should the cell/mobile phone user swap the SIM card into a new or different device or phone, nothing needs to be done as long as the phone number/SIM card stays the same. Registration is unique to the SIM card and phone number, not the device being used.

If the registered SIM card malfunctions or is lost for some reason, and you would like to keep the same phone number, the service provider will transfer your identity to the replacement SIM card.

Questions and Comments?

I can answer general questions, so I will leave comments open. However, I recommend that readers contact their cell/mobile phone companies with questions pertaining to registration; I will not hesitate to reiterate this, if readers do not heed my advice.

My personal experience consists of having a contract/tariff/subscription (syndesi) and a prepaid SIM card that was registered in 1998, when it was mandatory. I have never been anonymous and am therefore not required to go through the process again.

Readers are encouraged to share their experience of registration, if so inclined.

Contact Info

Cosmote — www.cosmote.gr
Vodafone — www.vodafone.gr
Wind Hellas — www.wind.com.gr

Sources

“Ξεκινούν την ταυτοποίηση καρτοκινητών Cosmote και Wind” – Eleftherotypia
“Διευκρινίσεις επί της διαδικασίας από τη Wind”
Conversations with the three companies listed above

In the News

Published after enet.gr and my article:

“Ξεκινά σήμερα η δήλωση κατόχων καρτοκινητού” – Ta Nea
“Ξεκινά σήμερα η ταυτοποίηση κατόχων καρτοκινητών” – Kathimerini
“No anonymity with prepaid cell phones” – eKathimerini
“Πως θα βγάλετε ταυτότητα στο καρτοκινητό σας” – Eleftherotypia

Related posts

“Conversations with my Greek cell phone provider”
“Prepaid cell phone cards in Greece to lose anonymity”
“3G no likey my PB”
“OTE: On the Exodus”

Photo from ebay.co.uk

http://bit.ly/GRprepaidcell

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IKEA Greece

October 19, 2009 at 18:00 · Filed under Shopping in Greece

IKEA now has four stores in Greece, with the opening of its Larissa location on October 15. The Fourlis Group plans to open a fifth IKEA store in Ioannina by early 2010, with the goal of increasing its 14 percent share of the Greek home market and meeting consumer demand for “affordable, trendy” furniture.

Photo by John Karakatsanis

Stores

Addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and hours of operation for each location in Greece. All feature a restaurant, supervised playroom and free parking (spaces limited).

1. IKEA Athens – Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Spata
19019 Spata
Tel: 801 11 22 722
Fax: (210) 35 43 599
E-mail: cs.athenseast@IKEA.gr
Open: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 21.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 20.00

2. IKEA Thessaloniki
12th km Thessalonikis – Piraeus
57001 Pylaia
Tel: 801 11 22 722
Fax: (2310) 475 150
E-mail: cs.thessaloniki@Ikea.gr
Open: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 21.00  and Saturday 10.00 – 20.00

3. IKEA Athens – Aigaleo
Kifissou 96
12241 Aigaleo
Tel: 801 11 22 722
Fax: 210 5400599
E-mail: cs.athenscenter@ikea.gr
Open: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 21.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 20.00

4. IKEA Larissa – Thessaly
8th km Old National Road Larissa-Athens
41500 Nikaia
Tel: 801 11 22 722
Fax: (2410) 568 599
E-mail: cs.thessalia@ikea.gr
Open: Monday – Friday 10.00 – 21.00 and Saturday 10.00 – 20.00

Size: 18,500 sq. meters
Parking spaces: 1136

5. IKEA Ioannina – Opening early 2010

6. IKEA Athens (3rd store) – Announced for end of 2011

7. IKEA Xanthi – Announced for end of 2011

8. IKEA Crete – Announced. But as of August 2009, it was still being debated as to whether to build a physical store in Irakleio or an online store to serve all Greek islands.

The Fourlis Group said its expansion to 10-12 IKEA stores in the Balkans by 2013 is on track, despite a sharp decrease (up to 50 percent) in Greek consumer spending.

IKEA Greece Web site

In Greek and English (limited).

www.ikea.gr

IKEA Web sites abroad can be accessed by going to www.ikea.com and selecting a country.

IKEA Greece Catalogue in English

The 2010 IKEA Greece catalogue was delivered to homes all over the country in July 2009 and is offered only in Greek. The online version can be found at, “IKEA Greece online catalogue.”

There is no printed version in English. However, a presentation similar to the IKEA Greece catalogue can be viewed online in English by using the one from Ireland. See “IKEA Ireland online catalogue in English.”

They are not identical, as each contains country-specific information, but both versions have 384 pages and feature the same products with relatively the same layout. Take note that IKEA Greece and IKEA Ireland are owned by different companies, so the Irish catalogue should only be used for translation purposes, not as an indicator of prices in Greece.

IKEA Greece does not currently have an e-store for online shopping or the option to place orders by phone. But saying and spelling IKEA (Ικεα) in Greek is the same in English.

Delivery

IKEA delivers everywhere on mainland Greece and the Greek islands using independent contractors. Shoppers can view a price list and make arrangements in person at the help desk located in the area after checkout and before the exit; some staff speak English. Arrangements cannot be made by phone or via e-mail because customer service notes the condition of your items, then calculates costs based on number of items, weight and delivery location. Curbside delivery is customary, and an extra charge applies for door-to-door service.

Appointments are normally four-hour windows in morning, afternoon and evening, including Saturdays, and you can request that the Greek-speaking delivery person call an hour before arrival. Recipients or an authorized representative (assigned via police-certified dilosi) must be home to receive items and should inspect them for damage before refusing or consenting to sign the receipt of satisfactory acceptance.

IKEA Greece does not offer furniture assembly, but independent contractors can be hired for a fee.

Why are IKEA prices so high in Greece?

In addition to being a year behind other countries in its offerings, IKEA Greece is often double even triple the price of other stores worldwide.

When I made a direct inquiry to IKEA headquarters as to why prices in Greece are higher in spite of its proximity to Sweden, IKEA said that each franchise is entitled to set their own prices, either making products more affordable for consumers or making more profit for themselves. The Fourlis Group — which owns the exclusive franchise rights for IKEA in Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus — obviously made the latter choice.

Want to work for IKEA in Greece?

The Fourlis Group maintains a ‘Careers’ database of job vacancies at: www.fourlisgroup-careers.gr

* Non-EU citizens must have authorization to work in Greece. See, “How Americans/non-EU citizens can live and work in Greece.”

Sources

“Fourlis opens door to fourth IKEA store in Greece” – eKathimerini
“Fourlis to invest 30 million euros” – eKathimerini
“Fourlis secures 100 percent control of IKEA franchise in Bulgaria” – Fourlis
“Ικανοποιητικά τα αποτελεσμάτα της ΙΚΕΑ για το τρίτο τρίμηνο, λέει ο Fourlis” – Ta Nea
“ΙΚΕΑ: 10-12 καταστήματα μέχρι το 2013” – Imerisia
“Δέκα ΙΚΕΑ έως το 2010 από τον όμιλο Φουρλή”

Related posts

“IKEA vs. IKA – there is a difference”
“IKEA Dubai vs. IKEA Athens” – Waiting for Skopelos
“Name and shame: Fleecing and IKEA furniture delivery” – Greek Madness

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AMKA is mandatory starting October 1

September 29, 2009 at 22:30 · Filed under Health

Starting October 1, the law makes it mandatory that everyone covered by a Greek social insurance fund or intending to work in Greece have an Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης or AMKA. However, according to the October 5 edition of Ta Nea, the deadline has been extended a second time to an unspecified date because people said they were uninformed.

Most residents already have AMKAs, and everyone registered with a Greek social insurance fund should have received AMKA cards at their place of employment or residence. As of yesterday, the Greek government said that 9.2 million people in Greece have AMKAs. Those without them are likely new arrivals to Greece, unemployed spouses/children of insured individuals, residents who cannot understand Greek or illegal workers.

The original July 1 deadline was extended to October 1, after hundreds of thousands of people complained that public sector employees were ill informed and ill prepared to deal with the onslaught of inquires and applications at the end of May. This caused the Ministry of Labor to temporarily disconnect their phones.

* Hat tip to ‘T,’ who suggested I write this article.

What is an AMKA, and why is it mandatory?

An AMKA or Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης translates to registered social insurance number or social security number.* It is a singular insurance identity that will replace all numbers issued by IKA-ETAM, OAEE (formerly TEBE), OGA, TAYTEKO, TAYTOTE, ETAA, ETAP-MME, YPETHA, OPAD, etc., thus (hopefully) streamlining transactions pertaining to insurance, pensions and unemployment benefits. For example, I now have one AMKA instead of two different numbers with IKA and OAEE (formerly TEBE).

The Greek government intends this to be the first step in integrating 13 social insurance funds, curbing public sector waste and reducing bureaucracy. It also hopes to inch closer to EU standards by improving transparency in the health care system, controlling improprieties in pharmaceuticals, combating tax evasion, and making it more difficult for employers to hire illegal workers and evade contributions.

*U.S. citizens should not confuse the term ’social security number’ in Greece with SSNs in America, which also act as tax numbers. In Greece, tax numbers are still AFMs and remain separate.

Does it replace my health booklet or ensima?

No. As a general rule, you should keep anything official that was issued by the Greek state. It is helpful to write your AMKA in your health booklet.

Who needs an AMKA?

Anyone — regardless of nationality — who is employed or wishing to be employed, insured (directly or indirectly), or a pensioner. This includes:

– Everyone covered by a Greek social insurance fund
– Those covered by a Greek social insurance fund via a spouse/relative (i.e., unemployed housewife of husband with IKA, children of insured parent)
– Anyone collecting unemployment benefits from OAED in Greece
– Retirees or beneficiaries receiving pension payments from Greece
– Anyone intending to work in Greece.

You do not need an AMKA if, for example, you are retired and collecting social security payments from a country other than Greece, or are insured with a private health insurance company.

It is not true that everyone living in Greece needs an AMKA. These rumors are being circulated in forums, and this is the reason I do not recommend them.

Do I have an AMKA?

You can check if you have an AMKA by visiting www.amka.gr and entering your name and birth date into the searchable database.

*Note: This is not a foolproof way of checking. My birth date was entered incorrectly and my surname misspelled, so the database returned no results, even though I have an AMKA and received my card.

The database says I have an AMKA, but I didn’t get a card.

If your work or home address is outdated, your AMKA card went to the old address. You can change your address at KEP and have your card reissued and re-sent. The most important thing is you have an AMKA; write down the number and keep it handy.

* Anyone who was mistakenly issued two AMKAs can inform KEP or their insurance company as to which number they’d like to keep. Otherwise, one will be chosen by authorities.

Are IKA numbers the same as AMKAs?

There’s no way I can answer this question without surveying the entire population of Greece. But in an informal survey of two dozen people I know with IKA, our IKA numbers are completely different than our AMKAs. Both numbers are listed on the upper left side of our quarterly ensima printouts.

I don’t see how they could be the same since IKA AMAs are seven digits, and AMKAs are 10 digits.

What documents are required to apply?

Greek citizens: Police-issued Greek ID card (tautotita) or military ID.

Minors under 13 years of age without a Greek ID should present a pistopoiitikou oikogeneiakis katastasis (certification of family status, issued from the oikogeneiaki merida, which can be requested through KEP).

Non-Greek citizens: a) National ID (if from an EU country) or passport from any country; and b) a pistopoiitikou oikogeneiakis katastasis (certification of family status, issued from the oikogeneiaki merida, which can be requested through KEP) or a similar certificate verifying family relationship translated into Greek, if from a country other than Greece (see, “Translations of documents in Greece“). A family relationship must be established for unemployed/subsidized spouses/children/parents who are indirectly insured through a family member.

Non-Greek minors born in Greece need a lixiarchiki praxi gennisis (birth certificate from the lixiarcheio).

* If you are a non-EU citizen, they will check if you have a permit sticker/card to legally be in Greece.

How much does it cost?

Nothing.

Can I change my status or contact details?

Any KEP office in Greece can assist you in updating your information.

Where do I get an AMKA?

Apply in person for an AMKA at:

– IKA offices – See “IKA offices in Greece” (in English)
– OAEE (formerly TEBE) offices – See “OAEE offices in Greece” (in Greek)
– OGA, TAYTEKO, TAYTOTE, YPETHA, ETAA, ETAP-MME, OPAD offices
– KEP (Citizen Service Centres) – See “KEP locations in Greece” (in English) or call ‘1500′

No applications by phone or via the Web. If applicants cannot appear in person, a dilosi (statement of facts) assigning permission to a representative (relative/friend/laywer) must be signed and stamped, then presented with the documents listed above. See, “How to certify a dilosi in Greece.”

I prefer KEP because they keep longer hours, with some locations open on Saturday.

Questions and More Information

Web site: www.amka.gr (in Greek)
AMKA Hotline: 11131 (Toll-free within Greece)
E-mail: amka@idika.gr

If you are Greek, EU or non-EU citizen abroad in need of an AMKA, Greek Embassies/Consulates are also supposed to have KEP services to assist you as of 2007. However, I cannot confirm this since I live in Greece and never access these services. It’s best to contact the location nearest you. See “Greek Consulates and Embassies Worldwide” if you cannot find one in the phone book or online.

Author’s Note

Because the AMKA card is laminated directly on the sheet of paper, the perforations do not work and could easily rip your card. I recommend using scissors. Just my two lepta.

*Image from AMKA.gr Web site

Sources

Personal experience
“«Ασφαλιστική ταυτότητα» για όλους από τον Ιούλιο” – Kathimerini
“Μετ’ εμποδίων η εξυπηρέτηση για τον ΑΜΚΑ” – Kathimerini
“O ΔHΚΤΗΣ” – Kathimerini
“20 ερωτήσεις – απαντήσεις για τον ΑΜΚΑ” – Ta Nea
“Φαρμακεία on line μήπως και μαζέψουν τις δαπάνες” – Eleftherotypia
“Ολοκληρώθηκε η εκστρατεία ενημέρωσης για το ΑΜΚΑ” – Eleftherotypia
“Απαραίτητος από την Πέμπτη ο ΑΜΚA” – Ta Nea
“Απαραίτητος από σήμερα ο ΑΜΚΑ” — Eleftherotypia

http://bit.ly/GRAMKA

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