From August we will be producing new national ID cards with biometric data
As of August we have been producing new national ID cards with biometric data. Requirements for new national ID cards with biometric data (hereinafter referred to as ID cards) are based on Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement. The new ID cards contain a contactless chip which stores the holder’s biometric data, i.e. an image of the holder’s face and fingerprints, just like passports. On the other hand, academic titles no longer appear on ID cards. As of August, it is possible to cross EU borders using either a passport, or precisely one of these new ID cards containing biometric data. Children under 12 years of age do not have to provide fingerprints. At the same time, it is not possible to use the biometric data stored in the ID card for purposes other than verifying the authenticity of the identity card and the identity of the holder when crossing state borders.
In the last few weeks before printing began, we carried out intensive final testing of the CDBP (Travel Documents with Biometric Features) system, which is part of the project for issuing new biometric ID cards. It was especially necessary to thoroughly test the proper functioning of new software applications in municipal offices, where applications for new biometric cards will be submitted. Our production technology was already more or less ready to produce ID cards with contactless chips, but we had to make an extensive modification to the personalisation system.
The time period for issuing new identity cards has not changed. The Ministry of the Interior offers citizens three options for the issue of a new card: the first is “standard” with an administration period of 30 days. For shorter issue periods there is the option “lightning” (5 days) and “super-lightning”, where cards will be issued in just 24 hours.
We produce approximately 120,000 national ID cards per month, or about 1,500,000 per year. ID cards are one of our key products, which account for about 65% of our production. You can find more information about national ID cards in the section PRODUCTS.
