Security Union: Commission welcomes Member States’ votes on new rules for secure ID cards
The Commission welcomes today’s vote by Justice Ministers in the Council, who greenlighted the Commission’s proposal to strengthen the security of identity cards and residence documents. Paper ID cards still issued by some Member States represent a serious security risk: they can easily be falsified and used by terrorists and other criminals to enter the EU. The rules will introduce minimum common security standards, making such documents secure and reliable. Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Věra Jourová said: “These security standards for ID cards will close loopholes that can be exploited by criminals or terrorists. At the same time, citizens will face fewer problems when using their ID cards for travel.” The security features of ID cards will be aligned with those of passports, with a highly secure contactless chip with the holder’s photo and fingerprints. To speed up border checks, residence cards for third-country family members of EU citizens living in another Member State will be in a uniform format. Member States will start issuing the new documents two years after the publication of the regulation in the Official Journal. ID cards currently in circulation that do not conform to the new standards will have to be replaced within five to ten years, depending on their security level. You will find more information in this factsheet.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3301_en.htm
https://ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/eu-citizenship/movement-and-residence_en