A new national identity card came into effect throughout French territory on August 2, 2021. Smaller and more secure than the previous model, this ID card in credit card format will gradually replace the green and blue identity cards. At the same time, the government wishes to launch the France Identity application which will allow one to prove their identity... via their smartphone! Here's everything you need to know about this topic in 6 questions.
The new national identity card was first tested in Oise from March 15, 2021 and then progressively deployed throughout France between March 29 and June 28, 2021. It officially came into effect across the entire French territory on Monday, August 2, 2021, in accordance with a European regulation of June 20, 2019. In fact, EU member states that already have a national identity card must now issue this secure card to their citizens.
The new national identity card is smaller than the old one. It now has the format of a bank card, just like the new driving license.
It also has the particularity of including a highly secure electronic chip that contains information appearing on the card.
This information includes: the name, surname, first names, date and place of birth, address, height, and gender of the holder, as well as the date of issuance and expiration of the card.
Just like on the passport, the chip also contains the photo and fingerprints of the cardholder (except for minors under 12 years old).
From now on, when you apply for an identity card, you must provide your fingerprints so that they can be recorded in the card's chip. A double verification is carried out as when applying for a passport: first at the time of instruction, then at the time of card delivery. It is mandatory that your fingerprints are included in the Identity Card chip but you can request that they not be stored in the national processing system. This new card, which aims to combat fraud and identity theft, also has a visual electronic seal or CEV signed by the State. This seal allows automatic reading and includes the data recorded on the card. It therefore helps to quickly detect any possible fraud if this data has been modified.
No, because it is not mandatory for all citizens to have the new card from August 2nd, 2021. However, no more national identity cards in the old format can be issued in France from this date.
In practice, you do not need to renew your ID card in advance. You can keep the old model as long as its validity date has not expired.
It is only from 2031 that you will no longer be able to travel within the European space with your old ID card.
Attention: The validity period of the French national identity card has changed along with its format.
Now, the validity period of the new card is 10 years instead of 15 years. This change was adopted in France to comply with the European regulation.
However, the fees remain unchanged. The first application and renewal of the identity card are free, except in case of loss or theft. The renewal in case of loss or theft costs 25 €.
Thanks to the official France Identité application launched by the government, you will never forget your identity card again as you will be able to present it directly on your smartphone!
This application, which is still in the testing phase, should be available by the end of 2023. As part of the dematerialization of administrative papers, France Identité will allow all French people to prove their identity via their smartphone.
The use of this application will not be mandatory. You can download it only if you want to and find the idea very practical. This application, designed to simplify the lives of users, should also help limit problems with lost or stolen papers as well as identity theft.
But beware: to be able to use the France Identité app, you will have to possess the new identity card in the format of a bank card equipped with an electronic chip. Your phone will also need to be equipped with NFC functionality (which allows you to pay with your phone).
Author Loïc on 14 March 2022
Economy and Finance : Exchange
Author Audrey on 12 April 2023
Economy and Finance : Insurance