New biometric ID cards issued from today

[galexinda]

The new version of the identity cards for Cypriot citizens are available from today Monday.

The new identity cards are biometric and meet all the requirements set by international and European law and will have increased levels of security against forgery and impersonation.

The changes to identity cards are a result of EU Regulation 2019/1157 on strengthening the security of the identity cards for Union citizens and for residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement.

All existing IDs issued remain valid until their expiration date and will not be replaced.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/new-bio ... in-cyprus/

[galexinda]

The Republic of Cyprus has stepped up its fight against document fraud and identity theft by launching new identification cards, which require citizens to submit fingerprints and other biometric data to the government.

According to the Civil Registry and Migration Department, personal identification cards issued on or after Monday, August 17, will include biometric data, such the applicant’s photograph and fingerprints, in an effort to increase security features to combat document fraud and identity theft.

All existing ID cards issued to citizens prior to August 17 shall remain valid until the expiration date printed on the holder’s document, while all citizens of the Republic of Cyprus aged 12 and up are required to have a document issued at all times. ID cards are optional for citizens under the age of 12.

https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/new ... applicants

[Tremigirl]

How do we go about getting one of these ID. Cards? Would they be done at The Citizens Advise place?

[Uncle D]

I would imagine that you will need to apply for Cypriot citizenship first

[josef k]

Yes, these are for Cypriots only and replace the type of card already held. As Uncle D says, unless you are a Cypriot,you would have to apply for a Cypriot passport first. It's a fairly easy process. Apply and wait 7 to 15 years for a decision. No, I'm not joking.

[WHL]

How do we go about getting one of these ID. Cards? Would they be done at The Citizens Advise place?

Citizen office, providing you have Cypriot citizenship.

[Lofos-Jan]

Well this is strange. My husband and my son had theirs replaced last year and both had electronic fingerprints for their biometric cards take.

Jeanne

[galexinda]

Some 850,000 Greek Cypriots and possibly tens of thousands of Turkish Cypriots who hold Republic of Cyprus ID cards have to gradually replace them with newly-released biometric ones, Philenews reported on Tuesday.

And the main reason behind the new IDs is the rising threat of terrorism, it added.

Biometric IDs meet all the requirements set by international and European law and will therefore have increased levels of security against terrorism, forgery and impersonation.

Changes to identity cards are a result of EU Regulation 2019/1157 on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens.

And of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement.

It is noted that all existing IDs issued in previous types remain valid until their expiration date and will not be replaced.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/new-bio ... terrorism/

[mike strand2]

I would hope that the yellow slips (MEU1 & 3) will be replaced by a card at some point in the future.

I've found the card that was originally issued to UK citizens to be most useful, but unfortunately mine expires in October this year.

[Kili01]

I fear that come Dec31 20 British residents here will feel the gap as we will no longer be covered by the security of being EU citizens. No EHIC cards and my old Cypriot ID card which was issued and which expired some time ago may be no longer acceptable as ID in post offices and by other organisations here as ID. It has been very useful to date at times.
I have a new British passport which has enhanced security features. But we have been told that all holders of MEU3 residence forms will at some time be issued with a new hopefully credit card sized Residents Pass, Hopefully this also applies to holders of MEU1 Registration forms too
Dee.

[daveg]

Cyprus issues an EHIC card to those of us who have MEU3.....

[Kili01]

Yes, but not all of us are eligible...

Dee

[galexinda]

12. If I have an MEU1 or MEU3 residence document can I apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card?

You can apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card only if you are contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme. Having an MEU1 or MEU3 without contributing to Social Insurance does not entitle you to apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card.

http://cyprus-crpg.org/frequently-asked ... HIC%20card.

[mike strand2]

12. If I have an MEU1 or MEU3 residence document can I apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card?

You can apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card only if you are contributing to the Cyprus Social Insurance Scheme. Having an MEU1 or MEU3 without contributing to Social Insurance does not entitle you to apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC card.

http://cyprus-crpg.org/frequently-asked ... HIC%20card.

Are you correct as I obtained mine on the basis of having an S1 document? Admittedly that was a few years ago, pre Brexit.