The new ID cards will be more expensive. They will cost BGN 30, instead of the current BGN 18. However, the free identity cards for 14-year-olds and those for people over 70 will be retained. The issuance of indefinite-term documents will also be stopped.
The new personal documents may start to be issued already at the end of May, when the entire system for their creation should be ready to work.
“We expect the company executing the contract to create a technical possibility, and we also expect the proposed legislative changes to enter into force as soon as possible,” Stoyan Stefanov, director of the Bulgarian Identity Documents Directorate – Ministry of the Interior, told BNT.
The legislative changes are necessary because the issuance of permanent identity cards for people who have reached the age of 58 will no longer be issued.
“This is in accordance with European law, and according to European regulations, it is not foreseen to issue permanent identity cards to citizens of the European Community. For this reason, it is envisaged that the identity cards, which until now were issued as permanent to persons over 58 years of age, are now from 18 -years of age up to the age of 70 to have a 10-year validity period. And persons who have reached the age of 70 will have the right to choose: 10-year validity or 30-year validity,” explained Stoyan Stefanov.
Thus, the information arrays will also have the most up-to-date photo of the elderly, which will reduce the likelihood of abuse. The new ID cards have more protections against counterfeiting.
“The photo will be bigger, clearer and more contrasting. And the most important news is that the new identity card will have an electronic information carrier,” Stefanov said.
Initially, the biometric data will be entered into the chip of the ID card – the photo of its holder and two fingerprints.
“Recording the biometric data of the electronic information holder will make the ID card easier to use when crossing the border and during their travel.”
Thus, people who have a new identity card will be able to pass through electronic border control counters, as is done now, but only with an international passport.
“And at a later stage, electronic identification of the persons will also be recorded. Then the Bulgarian citizens will be able to use it to work in a virtual trail for using the electronic services that are provided by the state. And, accordingly, with it to give electronic declarations of will” , said Stoyan Stefanov.
New technologies and the insertion of an electronic information chip also require a change in the price of the new identity cards. The proposal is that the fee for an ordinary period of issuance be BGN 30.
The fast issuing service for a period of 3 days will cost BGN 60, and the express service – within 8 hours – will cost BGN 150. Expressly issued documents, however, can only be obtained from Sofia, but can be applied for in any regional administration in the territory of the country. The free issuance of a first identity card for those over 14 years of age, as well as for people over 70 years old, is preserved.
“For persons who are in a disadvantaged position and with a permanently reduced ability to work, or with a degree of disability of 50% and over 50%, an extremely reduced amount of the ID card fee should be kept. In this case, the proposal is BGN 3”.
The proposal to change the tariff for issuing personal documents must be approved by the government. From the beginning of next year, new foreign passports will also be issued. They will also have improved protection against forgery, and the issuance of passports with a 10-year validity period will also be offered.
