EU mandates retirement of paper personal ID cards on Aug 3 2026
On 3 August 2026 the European Union will officially end the validity of the old book‑format personal identity cards that were issued before 1 January 2000. The expiry will be entered into official registers without sending individual notices to affected citizens.
People who still hold only the paper‑type ID must apply in person for a new electronic personal identity card (eSzemélyi) at any government office, unless they possess another valid authority‑issued document such as a driver’s licence or private passport. Citizens who are 70 years old or older receive a permanent ID free of charge. Mobile assistance is offered for those who cannot attend in person for health reasons.
In Romania, the old 1997‑type ID will only be issued in exceptional cases, either through Romanian overseas embassies or under special diplomatic authorization.
Entities: Electronic Personal Identity Card (eSzemélyi) · European Union · Hungary · Paper‑format personal identity card · Romania
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Citizens must obtain a new electronic personal identity card (eSzemélyi) via government offices unless they have another valid ID. (All three articles)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The change aligns with European Union regulations. (All three articles)
- [DISPUTED] The new electronic ID for 18‑year‑olds is valid for six years; for 70‑year‑olds it is valid for ten years. (Second article)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Old paper‑format personal identity cards will cease to be valid on 3 August 2026. (All three articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Romania, issuance of the old 1997‑type personal ID will be allowed only in exceptional cases via foreign embassies or diplomatic authorization. (Third article)
- [DISPUTED] Citizens aged 70 and over receive a permanent personal identity card free of charge. (First two articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Mobile assistance can be arranged for persons unable to attend in person due to health reasons. (First two articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The expiry will be recorded in official registers without individual notifications. (First two articles)