site.btaInterior Ministry Starts to Issue New-Generation Identity Cards

The Interior Ministry started to issue identity cards of a new generation on Monday. The replacement of old identity cards with new ones is not compulsory until the expiry date, the Interior Ministry press office said.

The new design has been introduced by the Bulgarian Identity Documents Directorate. To increase the security of identity cards, they will carry an electronic chip with biometric data (two fingerprints and a photo) recorded on it. This comes in addition to a printed photo.

The new card allows Bulgarian travellers to other EU member states to use the electronic check-in service at border checkpoints, and facilitates and speeds up the control exercised by the authorities of other countries.