Croatia orders 13,000 citizens to replace permanent ID cards by Aug 3

More than 13,000 people in Croatia must exchange their permanent‑validity identity cards by 3 August 2026 after the European Union’s Regulation 2025/1208 deemed cards issued before 1 January 2003 insufficiently secure. The Ministry of the Interior will send notices to the affected holders, most of whom are senior or mobility‑limited citizens, and will arrange for police officers to visit homes to collect applications where needed.

Applicants must present the old card and a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo at a police station. The standard fee for a new electronic ID is €13.27, reduced to €9.29 for people over 70. Faster processing (within ten days or three working days) costs €25.88 or €66.36 respectively. Failure to apply within the 15‑day grace period after the old card expires can result in fines ranging from €66.36 to €590.