EU Identity Card Deadline Takes Effect: Paper IDs No Longer Valid for Travel from August 3

Editorial Team

Aug 4

4 min read

Updated: Aug 4

BRUSSELS, August 4, 2026 — Millions of EU citizens holding paper-based identity cards can no longer use them for international travel, as the European Commission has confirmed it will not extend the 3 August 2026 deadline for phasing out non-compliant national identity cards.

Under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1157, identity cards that do not meet enhanced security standards — including paper-based cards and those without a machine-readable zone — ceased to be valid for cross-border travel on 3 August 2026, regardless of the expiry date printed on the document.

EU identity card deadline August 3 2026 – infographic showing paper identity cards and old-style plastic cards without MRZ no longer valid for travel, with electronic identity cards and passports still valid. — EU paper identity cards are no longer valid for international travel from 3 August 2026.

Published: August 4, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team

What the Regulation Requires

Regulation (EU) 2019/1157, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in June 2019, was designed to strengthen the security of identity cards issued to EU citizens. Under the new rules, identity cards must:

Requirement	Details
Format	ID-1 format (credit card size)
Machine-Readable Zone	Must contain an MRZ for automated reading
Security Standards	Meet ICAO 9303 specifications
Biometric Data	Facial image and two fingerprints in interoperable digital formats

The regulation does not require EU countries to introduce identity cards or make holding one compulsory. However, for those who choose to use an identity card for travel, the card must meet these enhanced security standards.

What Changes on 3 August 2026?

Document Type	Status After 3 August 2026
Paper identity cards	No longer valid for international travel
Old-style plastic cards without MRZ	No longer valid for international travel
Electronic Identity Cards (CIE) with MRZ	Valid for travel
National passports	Valid for travel

Note: Paper identity cards may still be accepted for domestic identification purposes within some member states until their natural expiry date. However, they cannot be used to cross borders into other EU or non-EU countries.

The Parliamentary Inquiry: Concerns Raised

On 25 February 2026, MEP Susanna Ceccardi (PfE) submitted a priority question to the European Commission expressing concerns about the impending deadline. Her inquiry focused on two main points:

Administrative Pressure: A potential surge in applications for new, compliant electronic IDs could overwhelm national authorities, especially for EU citizens living in another member state
Disruption of Rights: Administrative delays could negatively impact the right to free movement and other citizenship rights

Ceccardi also highlighted that the deadline coincides with the peak of the summer holiday season—a critical period for travel and mobility. She noted that in 2024, Italy had already experienced a "passport crisis" due to a shortage of security paper, raising fears that municipal offices could be overwhelmed by CIE applications.

"Any problems that arise when adjusting to the new provisions could adversely impact the effective exercise of the right to free movement and residence, and the rights attached to citizenship."— Susanna Ceccardi, MEP

The Commission's Official Response

Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath provided the European Commission's official response, delivering a clear and firm message:

No Deadline Extension

The Commission does not plan to propose a deferral of the 3 August 2026 deadline.

McGrath emphasised that the regulation was adopted unanimously by member states and supported by the European Parliament, making an extension highly unlikely.

No Central Statistics

The Commission does not have up-to-date statistics on how many non-compliant cards are still in circulation. Issuing ID cards is a national competence, and member states are not required to report statistical data on the number of identity cards in circulation whose validity is affected by the deadline.

No Impact Assessment

The Commission has not conducted a specific impact assessment on how the deadline will affect intra-EU mobility and access to rights.

What This Means for Travelers

If You Have a Paper Identity Card

Cannot use it for international travel from 3 August 2026
Must obtain an Electronic Identity Card (CIE) or a passport
The card may still be valid for domestic purposes in some member states until its natural expiry date

If You Have an Electronic Identity Card (CIE)

Valid for travel if it meets the security standards (ID-1 format with MRZ)
Check your card — if it's an old-style plastic card without a machine-readable zone, it is no longer valid

If You Have a Passport

Valid for travel — passports remain valid documents for crossing borders

Application Processing Times

Processing times for new CIE cards typically take 6–10 working days
Citizens are advised to apply well in advance of any planned travel
Some municipalities may issue provisional identity documents valid until 31 December 2027 for urgent travel needs

Quick Reference: Identity Card Validity by Type

Document Type	Format	MRZ?	Valid for Travel?
Paper identity card	Booklet	No	No
Old-style plastic card	ID-1	No	No
Electronic Identity Card (CIE)	ID-1	Yes	Yes
National Passport	Booklet	Yes	Yes

Update	Status	Effective
Paper ID Cards Invalid for Travel	Active	August 3, 2026
Schengen Border Checks	Active	Various dates