New types of identity cards will be introduced nationwide. Foreign citizens will receive residence cards, which will replace residence permits and identity cards issued to foreign citizens. The bill to amend the law on identity documents in the national passport system was given a final reading by Parliament, IPN reports.

The Public Services Agency, which is the author of the bill, said that the new types of identity documents contain advanced data protection features and will facilitate the holder’s access to multiple public services.

The identity card will be mandatory for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova starting with 14 years. It can also be used to travel under international agreements. Currently, Moldovan citizens can travel based on their identity card to Turkey and Ukraine.

When the new identity card that will meet the minimum security standards and will include biometric data is put into circulation, it will be possible to extend the list of states in which Moldovan citizens could travel freely based on this identity document, which will also serve as a travel document.

The identity card will also be an electronic identification document in the information systems of public institutions, which will enable to benefit from various electronic public services and to also sign official documents, applications or statements without having to go to the offices of public institutions.

In printed format, the identity card will contain the name of the issuing state, in Romanian and English, the name of the identity document, in Romanian and English; series and number; name and surname, gender, date of birth, citizenship and state identification number of the natural person, as well as the date of issuance and the issuing authority, the date of expiry of the validity period; facial image, handwritten signature of the holder, from the age of 14.

The legislative amendments will enter into force starting with the date of fulfillment of the technical conditions necessary for the issuance of identity and residence cards, but no later than March 31, 2025. Also, after their publication in the Official Gazette, the Cabinet, within six months, will submit proposals for adjusting the legislation to Parliament.