Romania keeps first electronic ID cards free through 2026

The Romanian Government approved a decree confirming that the first electronic identity card will continue to be issued free of charge to citizens until 29 August 2026. The measure is financed entirely from the funds allocated to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with no additional budgetary resources required. The policy aims to maintain the continuity of the e‑ID rollout, encourage widespread adoption of the new chip‑embedded documents, and rely on available EU funding throughout the implementation period. After the 2026 deadline, the cost structure for issuing the cards will be determined by future regulation.