A first pilot phase is starting in the Acores region and, in mid-run, all Portuguese citizens should be able to use the high-end cards, which include a built-in biometric feature, as their national ID document.
This credit card-sized smart card will be the official ID document for Portuguese citizens and incorporates extended printing security features. It will also enable citizens to communicate with government administrations in a simple, fast and more secure manner.
The new Citizen Card will include several ID numbers such as civil identification, taxpayer, social security and health and will also replace, in the future, the elector card. A variety of e-government services will be available through the electronic identification provided by the new Citizen Card.
Jacques Seneca, president of Europe at Gemalto, said: Gemalto is very proud to contribute to the Portuguese ID program, the first European ID project based on IAS specifications. Portuguese citizens will enjoy the IAS benefits and Portugal sets the pace for national ID cards interoperability throughout Europe.
