From the beginning of April, citizens can apply for a new, European-type identity card. The first million identity cards will be issued free of charge to citizens who will apply for the document that will be provided within 20 working days. The decision was approved by the Cabinet, IPN reports.
Minister of Internal Affairs Daniella Misail-Nichitin said that the new identity document will provide citizens with a safe and modern tool, contributing to the prevention of identity theft and cybercrime.
According to the minister, the regulated amendments simplify the use of identity documents by eliminating accompanying sheets, adapt documents to digital realities by excluding information about domicile, increase security by using advanced protection elements, such as electronic signature and biometric authentication and encryption.
"Through this bill, the Republic of Moldova increases the mobility of citizens, adapting to European standards," said Daniella Misail-Nichitin.
The Cabinet also approved the draft regulating the measures to implement the new identity card. "This is the document with which we will travel in the European Union when we are part of the big EU family," said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
"The new identity card contains the electronic signature. This means that any citizen, no matter where they are, any entrepreneur, will be able to access online government electronic services, without queuing in institutions, without powers of attorney, without the need to have a Moldovan telephone card," noted the official.
The Public Services Agency said that during the first month of the adoption of the bill, identity cards will not be issued on an urgent basis. Citizens who will need an identity document urgently will be issued with provisional identity cards, which have the same legal value as a permanent document on the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The provisional identity document will be issued free of charge to citizens, on the date on which they will submit the application.
The draft law suggests a charge of 290 lei for issuing the identity card within a maximum period (20 working days), with the application of the coefficients for increasing the rates for the provision of the service according to the emergency option in the amount of 1.75, 2.5, 3.25 or 4 depending on the period of provision: 10, 5 working days, one working day or when an application is submitted.
Citizens who have a valid identity card are not obliged to obtain a new identity card. The identity cards remain valid until they expire.
