News > Visas & Passports > Introduction of the Biometric Passport (fingerprints)
Introduction of the Biometric Passport (fingerprints)
Following negotiations over several years regarding the introduction of minimum security standards for passports and other travel documents, on 13 December 2004 the Council of the European Union adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 on standards for security features and biometrics to be included in passports and travel documents issued by Member States.
In an initial stage, Member States were required to include a microchip in the passport containing the holder's facial image and alphanumeric data. Although this was a highly ambitious European project, Luxembourg was able to meet the deadline imposed by the Regulation, 28 August 2006.
It should be remembered, in terms of the digital photograph, that the quality standards defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) must be observed, given that the European Regulation is based on those ICAO recommendations with regard to optically scanned travel documents.
The Community Regulation stipulates that, in a second stage, Member States must store fingerprints on the microchip by no later than 28 June 2009.
The primary fingerprints to be included in the European passport are those of the left and right index fingers. However, the European Regulation provides that the following persons are exempt from the obligation to give their fingerprints.
- children under the age of 12
- persons who are physically incapable of giving their fingerprints
Given the highly sensitive nature of this second category of biometric identifiers, it was decided at Community level to lay down additional technical specifications for storing and protecting the necessary fingerprints.
In order to collect the biometric identifiers required, ergonomic equipment that allows the fingerprints and facial image of a biometric passport applicant to be scanned at the same time will be made available to the municipal authorities. In addition, the same equipment can be used to capture the applicant’s signature.
The new procedure significantly facilitates matters for all those involved in the process of producing a biometric passport, starting with the users. In fact, after updating the pre-completed alphanumeric data and collecting the passport applicant's biometric data, the municipality’s officials and employees will only have to send the data electronically via the automated system to the passport register, thus enabling the central authority to personalise the travel document as quickly as possible. In other words and for the sake of clarity, it should be stated here that a fundamental change is taking place only with regard to the registration procedure and transmission of the data that must be provided when applying for a passport, while the Passports, Visas and Legalizations Office will continue to be the only authority competent to issue travel documents in Luxembourg.
It goes without saying that this system will lead to a reduction in the time that people currently have to wait to obtain a biometric passport.
The new system will also make it possible to strengthen travel document security by creating a direct link between the signature, fingerprints, facial image and alphanumeric data of the person concerned when he or she submits the application to the municipality.
Passports that are currently in circulation will continue to be valid until the expiry date shown. Therefore the Passports, Visas and Legalizations Office will not accept, in principle, applications made by those who hold a current passport, except in the case of Series C passports extended after 26 October 2005.
Despite this significant biometric change, the cost of the passport will remain the same.
It should be remembered that biometric passports are issued on an individual basis.
The Grand Ducal Regulation implementing the law of 14 April 1934 on biometric passports, travel documents for foreigners, stateless persons and refugees and the establishment of a fee (droit de chancellerie) for the legalization of documents was published in the Mémorial on 28 January 2008 (A-No 10).
Additional information regarding the new passports and those currently in circulation is available from the Passports Office, 43, boulevard Roosevelt, L-2450 Luxembourg.
For further information on obtaining a biometric passport, please click here …