The issuance and verification of the Cyprus Fan Card will now be managed through the government’s Digital Citizen app, as announced during a joint press conference held by the Cyprus Sports Organisation and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

From now on, both the issuance of the card and the validation of its authenticity for controlled and secure stadium entry will be handled through the Digital Citizen platform.

Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou, emphasized the importance of integrating the Fan Card into the Digital Citizen app, framing it as part of the government’s broader strategy to provide secure digital services to the public.

"By leveraging mechanisms such as CY Login, the Population Register, and additional security safeguards like one-time passwords (OTP) and biometric verification, we ensure the authenticity of the Fan Card and the identity of its holder," Damianou stated. This, he added, prevents counterfeiting and unauthorized use.

The inclusion of the Fan Card in the app aligns with other government efforts such as the new bill to combat violence in sports venues, forming part of a holistic strategy for a safe and modern sporting environment.

Damianou also noted that the Fan Card is just the first step, with further integration planned—such as linking match tickets directly to the Fan Card.

“Technology is a tool to make citizens’ lives easier and the state more effective. Digital Citizen is a valuable instrument that helps us implement our commitments, building a government that functions with transparency and reliability,” he stressed.

CSO President Yiannis Ioannou stated that the new software addresses long-standing problems with the old Fan Card system. He underscored that the upgraded functionality contributes to combating violence at sports venues but emphasized that successful implementation also requires coordination among all stakeholders.

With the card now integrated into the Digital Citizen app, both existing users who need to renew their cards and new applicants must do so through the app.

For Cypriot citizens aged 18 and above, issuance will now only be available via Digital Citizen, which will automatically create a user profile in the CSO’s central registry.

Registry Manager Kostas Solomou outlined alternative issuance procedures available through the CSO’s new website, fancard.cy, which apply in three cases: Individuals aged 14–18, foreign passport holders and visitors, and holders of a Residence Permit.

Legally, the CSO remains the sole authority responsible for the creation, storage, and management of the Central Registry of Fan Card Holders.

Verification of Fan Cards at stadiums will now be conducted via the Digital Citizen app, specifically through scanning the QR code of the digital Fan Card. The only exception is visitors, whose cards will be verified by alternative means.

To use the app, citizens must have a verified CY Login profile with two-factor authentication enabled. Currently, there are around 440,000 verified CY Login profiles in Cyprus.

To assist the public, a dedicated section for the Fan Card is now available on the official Digital Citizen website: www.digital-citizen.gov.cy, featuring issuance guidelines, FAQs, and other helpful information.