Bulgaria Government Approves Biometric ID Price Increases

Society | February 24, 2010, Wednesday // 13:55
Bulgaria: Bulgaria Government Approves Biometric ID Price Increases The Bulgarian government is expected to approve a rise in the cost of identity documents containing biometric data. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian government has, as expected, approved on Wednesday a rise in the cost of new personal identity documents containing biometric data.

As of March 29, it is confirmed that new identity cards will cost BGN 18, a driving license fee will become BGN 25, and an international passport will be issued for BGN 40.

Current costs for these identity documents are BGN 10, BGN 18 and BGN 30, respectively.

The Interior Ministry had proposed the new charges, in order to help cover the costs of the introduction of fingerprinting, which is to be carried out at the location where the application is submitted.

At the end of last year, parliament extended by six months the validity of documents that expire in early 2010 because the Interior Ministry had delayed the introduction of biometrics.

The issuing of identity cards for teenagers between 14 and 16 years and people over 70 years will continue to be free of charge. This group of adults will also not be required to pay for a driving license.

The new cost of a passport for a child under 14 years will be BGN 10. Rebates will apply to minors, the elderly and people with a permanently reduced working capacity.

The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, stated that applications for the new documents can be made from the end of March, with new documents available for receipt at the beginning of April.

"We are doing everything possible to cover a maximum volume of applications by citizens. At the moment, the training for staff who will serve the citizens throughout the country is under way, and  all the technical equipment in order to serve citizens is being installed" he explained.

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Tags: Identity Documents Act, biometric data system, interior ministry, passport, driving license, ID card

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