E-identity cards to be introduced in January 2016

New, electronic identity cards that meet EU requirements can be requested from January 2016 – announced the Central Office for Administrative and Electronic Public Services (KEKKH), writes magyaridok.hu. Several services will connect to the e-card, such as ePass, eID, and eSign.

The government has previously reached out to the KEKKH and asked them to make a new card that would make visual and electronic identifying possible, could serve as an e-signature, as a social security card, and as a tax ID, and could also be used at certain transportation services. One of the main goals of the electronic identity card is to make administration faster and simpler.

The new card is going to have a high security electronic chip with which residents will be able to manage their official affairs from home. Technological developments of the past fifteen years, as well as the growing number of forgeries urged them to reconsider the current identity cards, said KEKKH. Besides, the chip that is going to be part of the new e-card will make electronic identification-and signatures possible, expanding the range of electronic services, the Office added.

The cards will first be used in administration, and later their usage will be expanded to certain market services as well. The data that is stored on the card will be accessed only if the citizen permits it by typing in their PIN codes.