Romania’s new digital ID now available nationwide

Romania says its new biometric digital identity (CEI) can now be accessed from anywhere in the country. The announcement comes more than a year after the government started issuance of the new chip-based digital ID in Cluj County.

Now, authorities say they are expanding the delivery of the card to other major cities, in a move that signals the country’s resolve to gradually phase out legacy ID cards, Cotidianul reports.

Authorities have explained that the CEI, which is designed in the shape and size of a bank card, is issued for free, but old IDs will remain in use until they reach their expiry date.

Officials hope millions of citizens will be in possession of the digital ID in the next few years, and have emphasized its importance in facilitating access to several government and private sector services.

The nationwide rollout of Romania’s digital ID represents a trend across Europe now where countries are moving away from traditional paper-based or laminated identity documents toward secure, chip-enabled credentials that can be used both physically and digitally. This shift goes beyond just modernizing document formats, to laying the groundwork for a more interconnected and efficient digital public infrastructure that citizens can rely on for access to a wide range of services.

According to the government, scaling the new digital ID is part of Romania’s broader effort to align with the EU’s eIDAS regulation, facilitating cross-border travel and access to digital public services within member states. In June, Romania said it was adopting the German model for its EUDI wallet rollout.

The new eID will be issued to citizens as their current IDs expire or upon request. Officials have emphasized that the new card will simplify administrative procedures, improve security against fraud, and enable citizens to use their national ID for online interactions with Romanian and other EU public administrations.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued last month, the General Directorate for People’s Records (DGEP) in the Ministry of Internal Affairs clarified that measures have been taken, including legislative amendments, to ensure that Romanians abroad can apply for the new digital ID.

While the service is not yet fully operational, the directorate indicated that it had passed technical testing stages, with pilots conducted as of April.

Article Topics

digital ID  |  digital wallets  |  e-ID  |  EU Digital Identity Wallet  |  identity document  |  Romania