Identity cards will be introduced in Moldova instead of the existing identification document, which will allow citizens to travel freely in Europe.
The issuance of identity cards of a new, European model is envisaged by amendments to the Law on identity documents of the national passport system, passed by the Parliament in the second reading. Identity cards will be introduced nationwide and will replace the existing identification document. Foreign citizens will receive resident cards, which will replace residence permits and identity cards issued to foreign citizens. The legislative initiative was elaborated by the Public Services Agency in order to harmonize the national legislation with the EU norms, to put into circulation new types of identity documents, which contain a higher level of security and will facilitate their holder's access to numerous public services and will allow Moldovan citizens to move freely in Europe. The identification card will be mandatory for all Moldovan citizens from the age of 14. It will also be possible to use it for international travel. Currently, Moldovan citizens can travel to Turkey and Ukraine on the basis of the ID document. The identity card, temporary identity card and resident card will contain information in Romanian and English. These documents will not contain information on the holder's permanent or temporary residence. These data will be available on the government platform MConnect. Thus, holders will no longer be obliged to change their identity documents when changing their place of residence. Identity cards and resident cards will contain data in printed and inscribed format, data in electronic format, as well as personalization and security elements. They will be issued with different validity periods: 4 years for those aged 0 to 7 years; 7 years for those aged 7 to 14 years; for 10 years for those aged 14 to 70 years and unlimited for those over 70 years. The electronic data carrier will be included in the identity card and resident card, which will include both paper-based data and biometric data (face image, fingerprints), as well as qualified means of electronic signature and public key certificates. Thanks to this, document holders will have easier access to e-governance and e-business services (e-guvernare and e-business). The legislative changes will take effect from the date of achievement of the technical conditions necessary for issuing identification cards and resident cards, but no later than March 31, 2025. Also, after publication in Monitorul Oficial (the Official Journal of Moldova), the government will submit to the Parliament, within 6 months, proposals to bring the current legislation in line with this law. //28.03.2024 - InfoMarket.
