91999E0425

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0425/99

by Mary Banotti (PPE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Identity cards

Further to its answer to Written Question E-3070/98(1), could the Commission indicate which Member States require their citizens to possess identity cards?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 1999)

In complement to the information provided in response to the Honourable Member's written question E-3070/98, to which the Honourable Member refers, and on the basis of the latest information available to the Commission, the following Member States require their citizens to obtain national identity cards: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Further to the information provided in response to the earlier question, and on the basis of clarifications received on this matter in the interim, as regards France, it should be noted that there is in effect no obligation in law to either obtain or carry an identity card. However for most practical purposes, including the accomplishment of administrative formalities, an identity card is a requirement de facto.

With respect to the addition of Germany to the list, it should be noted that while there is an obligation to obtain a national identity card, there is, on the basis of the information available to the Commission, no obligation to carry the identity card on one's person, as is the case with the other Member States mentioned.

(1) OJ C 289, 11.10.1999, p. 21.