National identity cards in the European Economic Area and Switzerland

Uncommon card · No. 175569

National identity cards are identity documents issued to citizens of European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) member states, with the exception of Denmark and Ireland (the latter, however, issues a passport card). A new common identity card model harmonized the various formats in use from 2 August 2021 and older ID cards are currently being phased out according to Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1208. As of 2021, there are approximately two hundred million national identity cards in use in the EU/EEA. They are compulsory in fifteen countries, voluntary in eleven countries and in five countries they are semi-compulsory (possession of some ID is required). Citizens holding a national identity card, which states citizenship of an EEA member state or Switzerland, can use it as an identity document within their home country, and as a travel document to exercise the right of free movement in the EEA and Switzerland. However, identity cards that do not state citizenship of an EEA member state...

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