Identity document

The identity card is in German speaking countries (except Switzerland) issued by government agencies proof of identity as a personal document in the form of an official photo ID.

Belgium

In Belgium, the population gradually electronic ID cards with chip - the so-called " eID " - issued in credit card format. On the chip, only the address of the owner (not printed) and an electronic signature in addition to the information located on the eID in printed form, stored. For unambiguous identification in internet matching card readers can be purchased. These new cards are targeted initially at first owner, ie, mainly young people, spent. They are combined with parental controls. Will, for example chat rooms are set up that can be used by smart card holders with a certain age. The eID is valid for five years and costs 15 euros.

Germany

The German ID card is an official photo ID as proof of identity. Basically, the body responsible for the main residence identity card authority to award him at the request of the citizen. German from the age of 16 are required to possess an identity card or passport. From 1 April 1987, the issue of identity cards in the form of plastic laminated card was made with paper in the ID -2 format ( 10.5 × 7.4 cm). Since 1 November 2010, the issue of the new ID card done ( NPA ) in the ID -1 format ( card size ) with an RFID chip, in which the personal data and biometric data ( photo and optional two fingerprints ) can be stored.

Owning a federal identity card makes legally, although the possession of German citizenship credible, but not enough in some cases as a last valid proof. For this purpose, a separate certificate of citizenship may be requested.

Estonia

In Estonia, there is the identity card since early 2002. Previously you had to also passes in the country use the passport. When identity card is a smart card, which is also used for other purposes. So one can thus, for example (if one PC has a card reader ) to sign legally binding contracts with digital signatures. The identity card is as much a proof of health insurance. In addition, you can use the chip in Tallinn public transport as evidence for the presence of ticket. The ticket is by paying the amount due and the sharing of personal identification number (not to be confused with the identity card number) purchased. For Estonian citizens the identity card to travel authorized in other EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, for all other countries the passport can be taken. For persons under 18 years of card is issued for five years and over 18 years for ten years.

Foreigners will be issued as proof of the existence of the residence permit or work permit instead of a passport sticker issued ID card.

Finland

In Finland, identity cards (Finnish: henkilökortti, Swedish: identitetskort ) issued in credit card format by the police. Identity cards, which were issued from 1 March 1999, are valid as a travel document within the EU. The police also identity cards to foreigners from residing in Finland. However, these can not be used as a travel document.

The identity cards contain a chip and can be used for identification by electronic signature. In particular, government services (such as the tax authority ) can be taken via the Internet to complete.

In everyday use, many Finns either a driver's license or social security card provided with a photo ( KELA card) as proof. The issuance of KELA card with picture, however, was set for the 13th October 2008; instead the identity card with the social relevant information is provided. As such, the dissemination of the actual identity card is expected to increase.

When using foreign passports or driving licenses, there are occasional problems because it ubiquitous in Finland registration number is not included ( on the Finnish driver's licenses, however, already ). Therefore, it can be for foreigners in practice advantageous to procure a Finnish passport, if you do not want to exchange his license.

Italy

In Italy, the identity card Carta d' Identità is ( German: identity card) called and is valid for ten years. The regular paper color was beige. The new identity cards have a credit card format. There are biometrically suitable photos requires the application of four. The fingerprint is the identity card concept since 2010 part. In the Italian identity card can no address change can be carried out, so it is recommended that in the event of a move to have the copy of the relevant registration certificate with you. For the linguistic minorities in northern Italy bilingual identity cards are issued ( in Friuli- Venezia Giulia only on request). There are three multi-language versions:

• German - Italian (South Tyrol ),
• Italian - German - Ladin ( Alto Adige, Ladin valleys ), Introduction to work
• Italian - French (Aosta Valley ),
• Italian - Slovenian (Friuli- Venezia Giulia ).

Depending on the language version of the document has different colors: green for South Tyrol, Aosta Blue, Dark Green for Friuli- Venezia Giulia and brown for Italian. The permit is issued by the municipalities and consulates for Italians and foreigners living in Italy issued ( with an indication of their nationality ).

Japan

In Japan there is no identity card. Instead, the driver's license is used on which the address is printed and must be renewed at certain intervals. To identify a person health insurance card can be used as an ID card.

Croatia

In Croatia, the identity card Osobna iskaznica is called and is required by law from the age of 16. The Croatian identity card is bilingual ( Croatian and English ), while the passport ( Putovnica ) in three languages ​​( Croatian, English and French) is. For Croatian citizens the identity card to travel authorized in the EU Member States and in the other countries of South Eastern Europe ( such as Montenegro, Bosnia - Herzegovina).

Namibia

Austria

The Austrian identity card was introduced in its present form in 2002 in credit card format. Around ten percent of Austrians have this document.

For children under twelve years of the identity card is valid for five years, then ten years. Personal data can not be changed since the changeover to the credit card format on 9 January 2002, it is a paid reissue required.

Not to be confused is the Austrian identity card with the identity card, which is not a travel document.

The issue of identity card costs 61,50 Euro, and the request must be made in person. It is valid in all states of the European Union and most other countries in Europe as a travel document, on 1 January 2012, these included: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia and San Marino.

Not valid it is for the above date in the following countries which are fully or partially in Europe: Belarus (White Russia ), Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine; in these countries, a passport is required for entry.

A binding, current information as to whether the identity card is sufficient for entry can be queried via the Civil Service Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country-specific travel information indicating the country and the item entitled " Travel Information".

Saudi Arabia

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National ID Card (Arabic بطاقة الهوية الوطنية Bitaqat al - Hawiyya al - Wataniyya ), generally under the old name as Bitaqat al - Ahwal al - Madaniyya / بطاقة الأحوال المدنية referred, the identifying ID Card represents and is regarded as documentary evidence of citizenship. The card will be required at government agencies and other institutions such as banks to the original. The card can also be used for travel within the Gulf Cooperation Council. Since April 2010, and women can use the card to travel to those countries use without that a male guardian is required for departure. This is complemented by a yellow card the same size when traveling to countries outside the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Since 2010, the card the size of a credit card ( similar to the German identity card) and also has on the back of a 2.86 -megabyte magnetic stripe for storing data, the comprising an optical hologram of the photograph of the holder. The card contained up to 2009 contact smart as extra storage. A barcode on the front allows the identification via the intranet of the authorities, because the card is not machine-readable. Also one is returned due to the biometric characteristics of the custom built in traditional garb color light level imaging contoured for sharper black and white shot. Except for the wording " National ID Card", "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" and "Ministry of Interior " all information will be printed to the person in Arabic script. The validity of ten years according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The identity card is, unlike the Saudi passport, also requires inland some samples of police checkpoints and especially upon entry into the holy places of Mecca and Medina to the original. The Nichtmitsichführen of the card can have a money penalty. In case of loss, this is immediately to the issuing authority to inform the inhabitants central office al - Ahwal al - Madaniyya, separated by the Office for the issuance of passports, represents the Dschawazat / الجوازات, an organ of the Ministry of Interior Wazarat ad Dachiliyya that. Unlike in Austria the delivery of all ten fingerprints is mandatory. Until about 2009, the output of the fingerprint was limited to the left thumb with traditional ink and paper.

Sweden

By 2005, Sweden had no identity card (Swedish legitimation handling, usually shortened to legitimation, or ID - kort called ) in the sense of a travel document. However, since banks require some form of identity verification, it was even before identification cards issued by the bank or the post office. These fulfill the prescribed by the Swedish Organization for Standardization SIS standard. For traveling this card does not entitle principle, except the States of the Nordic Passport Union. These cards have, although officially not actually required and also not issued by the state reporting or police authorities, developed over time a de facto identity card. For certain activities, such as opening a bank account, the filing of a driving test, the pick up a package, the payment card or a visit to a doctor's presentation of such a card is desirable or even required. For living in Sweden foreigners this often poses a problem, as their identity card or passport is in certain cases ( as when visiting a doctor ) not accepted, as these documents do not contain the Swedish personal ID number. Therefore, foreigners often strive to such a pass. The Swedish driver's license can also be used as an identity card.

Since 2005 there is also still the national identity card ( nationellt id- kort ), which is output as the passports by the police. It entitles the holder to travel within the Schengen area and other countries that accept such identity card. The disclosure, however, was initially very hesitant assumed that no advertising was made for him, and most Swedes already have a passport; Moreover, the national identity card has a higher price than a passport. Thus, only 7,000 instead of the originally calculated 200,000 cards have been applied in the first three months. In the meantime ( July 2009) issued approximately 260,000 identity cards. The demand is still far less than the after passports. In 2008, approximately 930,000 passports were issued, but only 100,000 identity cards. The Swedish ID card is the size of a credit card.

Since early 2007, it is difficult for residing in Sweden foreigners to apply for an identity card, as banks often refuse to issue a badge and Svensk Kassa Service, a subsidiary of the Swedish postal service, the arrangements initially worsened and on May 1, 2008, the issuance of identity cards has all set because it was already settled in late 2008. As a detour to a card offered in individual cases, only the exchange of foreign driving license to a Swedish license to. The problem came in March 2007, the public and tightened it was still the fact that the situation represented a potential violation of EU law. Therefore, the government conducted an investigation. The judges involved so laid in December 2007 before his proposals. The Government commissioned the Skatteverket, the Swedish finance and at the same time reporting authority to issue identity cards to foreigners in 2009 from the middle. Applications are accepted from 1 June 2009. However, in the initial phase, there were significant problems with the issuance of the cards. The new regulation also covered only persons who could bring a guarantor with ID to make an application or were in possession of an EU / EFTA passport that was issued after 1 September 2006. As the guarantor had to be a close relative (parents, grandparents, siblings) or a person with a professional connection to the applicants, many foreigners were thus remains cut off from access to the card. In the meantime ( 2013), however, are also officers of authorities who know the applicant personally, as guarantors acknowledged. For foreigners who have a residence permit, a comparison of the given personal data may allow the alien shall be recognized as proof of identity.

Switzerland

Identity cards ( IDK, colloquially ID) are the official personal identification documents of Switzerland and as a substitute for a passport in the European Union and the countries of the European Economic Area ( EEA) and valid in Turkey. They are designed as plastic cards in credit card format, and both sides have a bluish color. Previous editions were produced in paper form. The identity card has ten years validity for adults, for children up to the age of three years and for 3 - to 18 -year-old five years.

Foreigners get no identity cards, but so-called foreigner IDs that differ depending on the type of residence permit and shall be issued by the cantonal authorities.

The term " identity card " in Switzerland is commonly used for the employee ID ( see also Helvetismus ).

Spain

In Spain, the identity card as proof of identity is (Spanish: Documento Nacional de Identidad = DNI ) and is compulsory from the age of 14. In addition, the document number is one of the most important personal data - even before birth - and appears in all official documents. Spaniards are required by law to the document number on many occasions, as well as in banking, specify. When applying the fingerprint is detected. In older versions of the DNI, the fingerprint was also printed on the ID card. The next generation will save the fingerprint in a highly secured chip on the card. The collection of fingerprints of all Spaniards introduced during the Franco dictatorship.

Until 30 years of the identity card is valid five years until the age of 70 ten years older than 70 years will receive an identity card of unlimited validity.

Taiwan (Republic of China)

The current version of the identity card (Chinese身分 证, pinyin shēnfēnzhèng ) in the Republic of China ( Taiwan) has been published since December 21, 2005. On the front of the name, a photo, gender, birthday and date of issue and the ID number is specified. On the back the name of the father, mother and spouse is specified ( and if any of which rank in the army) and the place of birth. The ID cards are issued in local bodies of the household registration authority on an ad hoc and consists of a laminated and coated paper card holograms, further provided with a bar code is

For foreigners living in Taiwan, an Alien Resident Certificate (Chinese外侨 居留 证, pinyin wàiqiáo jūliúzhèng ) is issued. It fulfills similar functions as the ID card is used, however, in addition to the re-entry to Taiwan. It shows, among other things, the nationality, the name in Latin characters and Chinese, the validity, passport number and the purpose of the stay in the Republic of China. For foreigners with longer stays the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate will be issued. The residence card for foreigners in the Republic of China resemble a credit card, formerly they were made of paper.

USA

In the United States there is no identity card in the proper sense. As a replacement driver's license with photo, which is issued on request for non- motorists used (ID Card). In the official handling the Social Security card fulfills the function of the card. The Statement of Social Security number already used alone for personal identification. Therefore, it is strictly recommended to call the number only authorities or trusted institutions (bank, employer).

Since 2008, in addition to the passport, a passport card. The card is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and may be used by U.S. citizens for travel by land and sea within North America and the Caribbean.

Army personnel have in Germany against the authorities, for example, the registry offices, with their ID card out.