The identity card that is to be put into circulation as from March 2025 will be mandatory from the age of 14, not from the age of 16 as it is in the case of the current identity document. The new, European-type ID card will gradually replace previously issued identity cards. Also, a residence card will be issued to foreign citizens, stateless persons, refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection. The Cabinet approved a draft law to review a number of normative documents related to IDs intended for Moldovans, IPN reports.

The new documents, which will be issued as from March 31, 2025, will be the size of a bank card and will include both printed information and biometric data – facial image and fingerprints of the owner. This will allow expanding the list of EU member states in which the Moldovan citizens will be able to travel on the basis of their identity card. The new card will also facilitate the people’s digital interaction with public institutions and access to banking, tax, social and educational services.

According to the director of the Public Services Agency Mircea Eșanu, the identity card will no longer include information about the domicile and temporary residence so as to avoid the need to frequently change the document. It will also not have the accompanying sheet. On election day, the information will be entered in electronic format, without applying the stamp.

The period of validity of the identity card will be different, depending on the holder’s age, but when the person reaches 70, the document will no longer need to be changed.

The draft law is to be submitted to Parliament for examination and adoption.