The project is currently being rolled out in Andalucia, a large region in southern Spain, and is accessible to 7 million users. From 1996 to 1999, some 40 million new cards will be introduced nationally.
With smart card technology, citizens can manage their own benefits more conveniently, process routine transactions and access their personal government records at self-service terminals rather than government offices. The use of smart card technology increases government staff availability for other activities, and makes information about government programs and policies more accessible to the public. The system improves control over fraud, particularly for unemployment and incapacity benefits.