The issuance of electronic identity cards equipped with chips has officially begun in Cluj County, Romania, with plans to gradually extend this initiative throughout the country. Launched on March 20, 2025, residents can now acquire these new identification cards, which are designed to enhance security and streamline access to various electronic services.
These electronic ID cards are compact, measuring the size of a bank card, and come with advanced security features aimed at preventing fraud. Residents, including children under 14, can obtain these new identity cards upon request from their parents. Starting March 21, all public community services dedicated to civil registration in Cluj County—including established centers in Dej, Gherla, Huedin, Turda, Câmpia Turzii, and Florești—will begin collecting photographs, fingerprints, and documentation necessary for the card's issuance.
Alin Tișe, the president of the Cluj County Council, expressed enthusiasm about the program's launch, stating, "Starting today, residents of Cluj County over the age of 14 can benefit from free electronic identity cards, issued as close as possible to their home, without having to travel to Cluj." This initiative is seen as a significant step towards improving the efficiency of public services and catering to the needs of local residents.
The data that will be inscribed on the electronic identity cards will include essential details such as name, surname, citizenship, date of birth, sex, facial image, personal identification number (CNP), and handwritten signature. Furthermore, in electronic format, the cards will incorporate additional details, including the names of parents, domicile, fingerprints from two fingers, and digital certificates for authentication and electronic signatures.
In a press release, the Cluj County Council highlighted the advantages of the new identity cards, stating, "In the current context of digitalization of public services through the implementation of information systems in the field of civil registry and vital statistics, the issuance of the electronic identity card has the benefit of presenting advanced security elements, serves as a travel document in the European Union, and confers easy access to various electronic services."
The scheduling process for obtaining an electronic identity card is conducted exclusively online, via the portal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, making it even more convenient for residents to participate in this new initiative. As Cluj County leads the way with this modern approach to identification, anticipation grows for its gradual rollout across the rest of Romania.
This transition into the digital age marks a significant milestone in the administration's efforts to modernize public services and improve citizens' access to essential functionalities, setting a precedent for future innovations in identification and record-keeping systems nationwide.
