Privacy features of European eID card specifications

Abstract

Following the introduction of ICAO-compliant electronic passports, electronic national identity cards are now being planned and deployed on a large scale in Europe as well as worldwide. Whereas electronic passports contain a contactless chip in the booklet, electronic ID cards are usually plastic cards the size of a regular ATM card, using a chip with a contactless and/or contact interface. Like the data page of a passport, an ID card is personalised with at least a serial number, a photo and the owner's name and date of birth. Some EU countries, including Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden have already started issuing electronic ID cards. Others, for example, Germany, France, and the UK, are currently drafting technical specifications for their future ID card schemes. Besides national ID cards, there are many other government and commercial eID card schemes, such as electronic health cards or chip and signature cards.