Slovakia has licenses like from science fiction. 150,000 people already have them
The Ministry of the Interior has introduced new biometric identity cards with a contactless chip. More than 155,000 people have requested this evidence since December last year. However, new identity cards do not mean that if you still have the old type of document, you must immediately run to the nearest client center to get a new one. Those issued before the introduction of the current ones are valid according to the date shown on them.
What do the new chips contain?
The new chips were supposed to prevent forgery and misuse of documents to a large extent. At the same time, the Ministry of the Interior would like to improve the security of passports with this step. The new identity cards will therefore contain the citizen’s biometric data in the form of fingerprints and facial features.
At the same time, there were also speculations and concerns about whether the ministry would not store biometric data in various systems. According to the State Secretary of the Department of the Interior, at the moment the identity document is issued, this data will be deleted from all information systems of the Ministry.
source: TASR/Jaroslav Novák
“The Ministry of the Interior does not store biometric information about citizens, nor fingerprints, nor facial features in any databases,” informed Tomáš Oparty, State Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
Slovaks will also be able to load the chip, which is in their identity documents, into the application, where they will have access to all the data clearly in one place. The Ministry assures citizens that just anyone with a phone will not be able to “steal” your data. Based on the consent, you will have to scan the back of the document or request a special number from the card itself.
However, if someone were to gain your access to the application, the biometric data will remain encrypted. This data will only be available to authorities and security forces with special readers.
In addition to security, an interesting function of the new biometric cards will be, for example, the function of downloading the photos you have on your card.
They contain several safety features
The new ID cards contain the highest level of protection. you know elements well under UV light, some for a change you will only know under UV light. First of all, it must be established that the document received the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic, which is colored under UV light.
“It is a security feature that is unique. We haven’t had the Slovak coat of arms in colors under UV light in any document yet,” Jozef Jánsky, director of the Department of Documents and Records of the Presidium of the Police Force, pointed out.
source: Startitup/Martin Papai
Another element is, for example, a hologram, which already appeared on the previous cards. However, the graphics visible under UV light on the back also became a novelty. The protective underprint on the background consists of a line graphic with a structure of geometric shapes, where microtext is also applied. This microtext is small repeating texts that are visible only when enlarged.
However, the question remains as to who should get a new identity card. You should request it as soon as you are an active user of an electronic signature with a card issued before June 20, 2021. The validity of the certificates expired on the chips on December 31, 2022. The replacement will be free of charge for applicants, in case of loss or, for example, a change of residence the card will cost you an administrative fee of 4.5 euros.
Problems with electronic signing
Due to the approaching first tax obligations, the financial administration reports on changes in the case of cards with a chip issued until June 20, 2021, writes SITA.
The validity of the certificates for the qualified electronic signature stored on the chip ended on December 31 last year for security reasons. If the taxpayer has not replaced the identity card with a new one, it is necessary to upload a new type of certificate to the old identity card. In a press release, the spokeswoman for the financial administration, Martina Rybanská, informs about this.
In the case of identity cards issued before June 20, 2021, the changes only concern electronic signing. Other digital functions of the card remain preserved, i.e. it will be possible to log in to the Financial Administration Portal or use other e-services within Slovensko.sk that do not require electronic signing.
Those who have not yet changed their identity card for objective reasons and currently use electronic certificate signing in the case of fulfilling work duties, can perform selected actions even after January 1, 2023.
Get a new certificate
The certificate for the recognized method of authorization can be uploaded to your ID card from the comfort of your home. The financial administration makes it possible to authorize with an improved electronic signature all electronic documents located on the financial administration portal after logging into the personal internet zone.
In the same way, it is possible to authorize the submission of customs declarations through the information system of the Central Electronic Folder or the e-commerce portal.
The possibility of implementing a recognized method of authorization in the transitional period also applies to declarants who, from January 1, 2023, submit customs declarations through the information system of the Central Electronic Folder or through the e-Commerce portal.
For the purposes of excise taxes, this option only applies to forms for the administration of excise taxes through communication through the financial administration portal.
In the case of specialized systems used in the administration of excise duties, such as the control stamp information system and the system for monitoring the movement of goods subject to excise duties, it will not be possible to use the improved electronic signature – i.e. only a qualified electronic signature will be accepted.
Source: SITA