EE EMN NCP ad hoc on period of validity of travel and biometric documents Requested by EE EMN NCP on 4 th September 2013 Compilation produced on 14 th October 2013 Responses from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden plus United Kingdom (15 in Total) Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does 1. Background Information Estonian Ministry of Interior is planning an analysis on the period of validity of travel and identity documents, as well as on biometric data used in these documents. Thus, they would like to know more about other Member States practise on this topic and ask to answer the following questions: 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? To third-country nationals; To third-country nationals; 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? 1 of 11
3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 4. In case your MS is issuing identity card (ID-card, citizen s cards, etc.), what is the maximum validity of these documents: To EU citizens To third-country nationals 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, facial image, etc.)? documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? We would very much appreciate your responses by 30 th September 2013. 2. Responses Wider Dissemination? Belgium Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric travel documents issued by your MS? To citizens: at this moment 5 years Note: In the near future (end 2013, beginning 2014) probably 7 years. To third-country nationals: 2 years 2. What is the maximum validity of other travel documents issued by your MS? To citizens: one year (temporary passport) To third-country nationals: one month (Emergency Travel Documents) 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric temporary travel document? No 3. What is the maximum validity of residence card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years Note: It is being considered to extend the maximum validity of some residence permits to 10 years. To citizens: identity cards 5 years - Note: It is planned that as from February 2014, the maximum validity of such documents is extended to 10 years (and even 30 years for Belgians who are 75 or older). To third-country nationals: residence cards 5 years 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? To citizens: photograph is in a contact chip in the identity card (Belgian internal national specifications) 2 of 11
To third-country nationals: o photograph is in a contact chip in the residence card for an EU national (Belgian internal national specifications) o photograph and fingerprints are in a contactless chip of the residence card for non EU-nationals (conform EU and ICAO specifications) documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? Belgium is not considering reducing the validity period of documents which have already a validity of 5 years. Bulgaria Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric travel documents issued by your MS? 5 years; To third-country nationals up to 5 years; 2. What is the maximum validity of other (temporary) travel documents issued by your MS? up to 12 months; To third-country nationals according to the duration of the trip respectively from or to the territory of the country; 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric temporary travel document? No; 3. What is the maximum validity of residence card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 1 year for prolonged residence, 5 years for long-term residence and the validity of permanent residence cards is according to the validity of the national identity document, and the validity of all documents is in accordance with the national legislation; for the people 14-18 years old (4 years), 18-58 years old (10 years) and for the people 58 years and over old the ID cards are permanent; To third-country nationals up to 5 years; 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? No; 5. If your MS issues documents with a validity period of over 5 years, are you considering shortening the period of validity of the documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations?- No, there is not such consideration in the national legislation. Czech Republic No This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further Estonia Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? 5 years. To third-country nationals 5 years. diplomatic passport (up to 5 years); a seafarer s discharge book (up to 5 years); a certificate of return (up to 12 months). To third-country nationals a temporary travel document (up to 2 years); a travel document for a refugee (up to 5 years); a certificate of record of service (up to 5 years); a permit of return (up to 12 months). 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? All documents in point 2 are 3 of 11
biometric (excluding a certificate of return and a permit of return). 3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years. up to 5 years. EU citizens up to 5 years. To third-country nationals up to 5 years. 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Accordingly to the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008 and ICAO standards, fingerprint images are carried on to the residence permit card chip. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? There are no documents issued with a period of validity over 5 years. Finland Yes 1. 2. to citizens: 5 years to third country nationals: 5 years (Aliens passport) If the passport applicant is unable to be fingerprinted (for example, due to a disability or other physical impediment) and this condition is temporary, a temporary passport may be issued to the applicant. A temporary passport is a biometric passport with a microchip (excluding fingerprints). There is no maximum validity period for temporary passport. A provisional passport is valid for no more than 12 months, after which the holder must apply for a new passport. Provisional passport does not contain technical component (microchip). Provisional passport is usually issued for a specific journey abroad. Aliens passport 5 years if issued for an alien residing in Finland, maximum of 1 month validity if the person is abroad. An emergency passport may be issued for a specific reason if it is impossible to issue a normal passport, even in a fasttrack/express procedure. The requirements for issuing an emergency passport are always considered carefully and on a case-bycase basis. An emergency passport may only be issued for the period of time during which it is needed, however not exceeding 12 months. An emergency passport does not contain a technical component (microchip) and it is issued to the applicant immediately upon application. 2.1. All documents in point 2 are biometric excluding emergency passport. 3. 5 years. 4. A standard identity card is valid for 5 years. A temporary identity card is valid for no more than 4 months. A person may only hold one valid identity card at a time. Identity cards are issued for Finnish Citizens and foreign citizens permanently residing in Finland who are entered in the Population Information System and whose identity has been confirmed (includes EU- and third country nationals). 4.1. An identity card is a proof of the holder's identity that includes a photograph. To a limited extent, an identity card can also be used as a travel document. An identity card also contains a technical component (a microchip), which for example makes it possible to use e- services (a so-called electronic identity card). On the applicant's request, such as health insurance information can be stored on the identity card, and the card can then be used instead of a Kela card in pharmacies or medical centers. 4 of 11
Regarding residence permit cards fingerprints will be stored on card chips. If technical problems prevent the scanning of a residence permit applicant s fingerprints, the fact will be recorded on the residence permit card chip. 5. N/A Hungary Yes 1. The maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by Hungary: : 10 years To third-country nationals: Hungary doesn t provide biometric travel document to third country nationals. 2. The maximum validity of other (for instance temporary) travel documents issued by Hungary: : the maximum validity of the passports is 1 year (not biometric). To third-country nationals; the maximum validity of travel documents issued is 1 year. 2.1. Hungary doesn t issue biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document. 3. The maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008) is 5 years. 4. The maximum validity of identity card (ID-card, citizen s cards, etc.): : 10 years To EU citizens: 10 years To third-country nationals: 10 years 4.1. These documents are not biometric. 5. Due to latest information changes are not planned regarding the period of validity of the documents in the near future. Italy Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? Italian nationals: passport validity differs depending on the holder s age: for children under 3 years, validity is 3 years; for children aged 3 to 18 years, validity is 5 years; for adults over-18, validity is 10 years. Foreign nationals: at present travel documents do not exist in electronic format. Italian citizens: - Collective passport. Its maximum duration is 4 months from the date of issue. - Temporary passport is valid for a maximum of 12 months. - Diplomatic passport s validity is variable and it can be released, as appropriate, for the appointment duration, or for a year or three years. - Service passport s validity is and it can be released, as appropriate, for the appointment duration, or for a year or three years. Foreign nationals: a travel document for foreigners, corresponding to the duration of the residence permit: - Travel document for stateless persons: 1 year; - Travel document for refugees: 5 years; - Travel document for subsidiary protection: 3 years. 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? No. 3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years. 5 of 11
Identity card validity depends on the applicant s age, there is no difference between nationals and non-nationals: 0-3 yrs: 3 years validity 3-18 yrs: 5 years validity Over-18: 10 years validity 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Photo and fingerprints are included; the latter are inserted only if the person is older that 12 yrs. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? No. Within the framework of administrative simplification process and containment of public costs, the extension of the validity of the identity card from 5 to 10 years has been recently approved (2011). Latvia Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? 5 years. To third-country nationals 5 years. diplomatic passport (up to 5 years); a seafarer s discharge book (up to 5 years); a certificate of return (up to 12 months). To third-country nationals a temporary travel document (up to 2 years); a travel document for a refugee (up to 5 years); a certificate of record of service (up to 5 years); a permit of return (up to 12 months). 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? All documents mentioned in point 2 are biometric (excluding a certificate of return and a permit of return). 3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years. up to 5 years. To EU citizens up to 5 years. To third-country nationals up to 5 years. 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Accordingly to the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008 and ICAO standards, fingerprint images are carried on to the residence permit card chip. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? There are no documents issued with a period of validity over 5 years. Lithuania Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? passport, identity card - 10 years, official passport - 5 years To third-country nationals refugee s travel document - 5 years, alien s passport - 5 years, stateless person s travel document 2 years 6 of 11
diplomatic passport - up to 5 years; a seafarer s discharge book -up to 5 years; certificate of return- 15 days To third-country nationals Travel document (return to foreign country) - 30 days 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? No 3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years (permanent residence permit) 10 years EU citizens 5 years (certificate) To third-country nationals 5 years (Residence permit card of a family member of the citizen of an EU Member State) 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Identity card (issued to citizen) and Residence permit card of a family member of the citizen of an EU Member State are biometric. Both fingerprints and image of face are inserted to the chip (except the cases indicated in the regulation 1030/2002), as well as certificate for the recognition in electronic space and qualified certificate. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? No (Corresponds to ICAO recommendations). Luxembourg Yes 1. Travel documents. a. Citizens: 5 years. Not extendable. b. Third country nationals: In accordance with article 3.2 of the Grand-ducal regulation of 26 January 2006 the travel document for foreigners has a validity of five years if the holder is an adult or a child of more than 4 years. If the child is younger than 4 years he/she will be issued a travel document with a validity of 2 years. In the case of travel documents for refugees and stateless persons the same rules apply in accordance with article 3 and 14 of the Grand-ducal regulation of 25 January of 2008. 2. Other travel documents a. Citizens: - diplomatic passports: 5 years; - In Luxembourg the general rule is that nobody can have two passports at the same time. Third country nationals: As mentioned in point 1 b the travel documents for refugees and stateless persons are issued for 5 years with the exception of children under the age of 4. 2.1. All documents mentioned above are biometric travel documents. 3. The maximum validity of a residence permit card depends on the category of authorisation of stay that is granted to a third country national. The maximum validity of a residence permit card is of 5 years (international protection beneficiaries and long-term residence permits). 4. In Luxemburgish ID cards are only issued for Luxemburgish citizens over the age of 15. The validity is of 10 years. For EU citizens and third country nationals there are no ID cards. 4.1. The Luxemburgish ID cards does not have a chip for storing the biometric data. 5. No. 7 of 11
Netherlands Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric travel documents issued by your MS? Maximum is 5 years. To third-country nationals Maximum is 5 years. 2. What is the maximum validity of other travel documents issued by your MS? To third-country nationals Maximum validity of the emergency passport is 1 year. 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric temporary travel document? No. 3. What is the maximum validity of residence card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? Maximum validity is 5 years. Maximum is 5 years. To third-country nationals Maximum is 5 years. 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Yes, these are currently biometric: fingerprints and image of a face are inserted. This may change in 2015 though. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? N/a. Slovak Republic Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric travel documents issued by your MS? The maximum period of validity of passport for a citizen is 10 years. To third-country nationals Alien s passport up to 1 year. 2. What is the maximum validity of other travel documents issued by your MS? Diplomatic passport is issued for a period of performance of the function or for the time necessary to fulfil the tasks. Service passport is issued for a period of performance of the function or for the time necessary to fulfil the tasks. Emergency travel document is a document to a single path with the territorial and temporal validity, limited to fulfil the purpose of the journey. It shall be issued for a maximum period of six months. To third-country nationals; Emergency travel document issued by consulates up to 6 months. Travel document issued according to Convention relating to the status of refugees - 2 years. Travel document issued according to Convention relating to the status of stateless persons 2 years. 8 of 11
2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric temporary travel document? Diplomatic passport and service passport is biometric travel document. Emergency travel document does not contain any biometric data and therefore is not biometric travel document. 3. What is the maximum validity of residence card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 10 years. ID-card: 10 years To third-country nationals The only identity documents issued to third country nationals are those issued under the Council regulation (EC) 380/2008 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? ID-card for citizens in a form of polycarbonate card is not a biometric document. This document does not contain a chip. Identity documents issued to third country nationals (issued under Council regulation (EC) 380/2008) contain biometric data: fingerprints and image of face are inserted to the chip. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? No. ID-card is issued to person over 15 years of age and passport is issued to person over 16 years of age. In these cases no significant changes regarding their face are assumed. Spain Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric travel documents issued by your MS? : 2 years until the age of 5, 5 years until the age of 30, 10 years if older. To third-country nationals; 5 years for refugees and subsidiary protection, 2 years for stateless persons. 2. What is the maximum validity of other travel documents issued by your MS? : diplomatic passports 3 years as a general rule. To third-country nationals; 2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric temporary travel document? No. Temporary passports are not biometric. 3. What is the maximum validity of residence card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? 5 years maximum. : 5 years until the age of 30, 10 years until the age of70, unlimited afterwards. To third-country nationals; not issued. 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, image of a face, etc.)? Picture and 9 of 11
fingerprints. documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? No Sweden Yes 1. : 5 years (ordinary, diplomatic and service passports) To third-country nationals; 5 years (Aliens passports and Travel document -51 and -54 conventions respectively) 2. : Booklet up to one year for return travel from Sweden, issued at major airports in Sweden and A4 sheet up to 7 mths issued at consulates abroad. To third-country nationals; A4 sheet issued in Sweden and at consulates abroad, up to one year in exceptional cases but normally 7 months validity. 2.1. NO 3. 5 years 4. : 5 years To EU citizens: 5 years To third-country nationals: 5 years 4.1. Only ID-card for citizens (facial biometrics). However, third country nationals also hold a biometric residence permit card. 5. N/A United Kingdom Yes 1. What is the maximum validity of biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) travel documents issued by your MS? 10 year passport (if you apply early to have your passport renewed, you may have up to 9 months remaining validity transferred to their new passport) To third-country nationals In order to be eligible to apply for a British Passport, you must be a British Citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British subject, a British national (overseas) or a British protected person. However, in line with the UN Convention, the UK Visas and Immigration Service issue several travel documents to those who are unable to obtain a British Passport: - Refugee Document (blue) up to 10 years - Stateless Person Document (red) up to 10 years - Certificate of Travel (previously Certificate of Identity until March 2008 - black) (brown) up to 5 years varied can be valid for single, multiple or return journeys (including up to five specified transit countries en route) with the validity and travel itinerary noted on the observations page. To third-country nationals The issue of an emergency travel document by Consular Assistance staff are also issued to unrepresented EU and Commonwealth citizens or in emergency situations they may be issued to non-british Citizens. The same varied validity applies as for UK citizens. 10 of 11
2.1. Is your MS issuing biometric (including facial and fingerprint biometrics) temporary travel document? No 3. What is the maximum validity of residence permit card (issued under the Council regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008)? Up to 10 years if the holder is aged over 16 or up to 5 years if the holder is under 16 when the card is issued and the holder has been given permission to settle in the United Kingdom (known as indefinite leave to remain). 4. In case your MS is issuing identity card (ID-card, citizen s cards, etc.), what is the maximum validity of these documents: The UK does not issue identity cards to citizens. 4.1. Are these documents biometric? If yes, what biometric data is inserted to the chip (fingerprints, facial image, etc.)? N/A 5. If your MS issues documents with a validity period of over 5 years, are you considering shortening the period of validity of the documents in the near future? If so or not, according to which considerations? In line with various European and International Regulations and Decisions, the UK issues passports with a validity period of 10 years. As part of the continual review of products, the length of passport validity is assessed. However, at present, there are no intentions to shorten this from 10 years. The validity period of the residence permit is in line with UK passports. There are no plans to shorten this from the ten years. There are no plans to reduce the validity of HO Travel Documents. For refugees, documents for those with permanent residence are issued with validity in line with national passports. ************************ 11 of 11