Icelandic identity card

The Icelandic identity card (Icelandic: Nafnskírteini), is a voluntary identity document issued by Registers Iceland since 12 April 1965. It is one of three official identity documents issued by the Icelandic Government, along with the Icelandic passport and Icelandic driving licence. It is only issued to Icelandic citizens regardless of age and may indicate citizenship, so that it can be used as a travel document facilitating freedom of movement within the European Free Trade Association^[3] and the rest of the European Economic Area.^[4][5][6] For travel within the Nordic countries no identity documentation is legally required for Nordic citizens due to the Nordic Passport Union.

Icelandic identity card Nafnskírteini
Front of card (2024)
Back of card
Type	Identity card, optional replacement for passport for travel to EU and EFTA countries.
Issued by	Iceland Registers Iceland
First issued	14 April 1965 (first version) 5 March 2024 (current version)
Purpose	Identification & travel document
Valid in	EU, UK (in some cases^[1]) and rest of Europe, (except Belarus, Russia, Ukraine) French overseas territories  Greenland  Montserrat (max. 14 days)^[2]
Eligibility	Icelandic Citizens
Expiration	10 years (over age 18) 5 years (under age 18)
Cost	ISK 9,200 (ages 18-66) ISK 4,600 (children, elderly and disabled)
Size	ID-1

The Icelandic identity card is uncommon in Iceland, as most people use their driving licence as ID. In 2023, 90.6% of Icelanders had a driving licence and 94.9% had a valid passport.^[7][8]

An updated design complying with EU standards was introduced in March 2024, allowing the Icelandic ID card to be used for travel across all countries in the EU/EFTA, which was not possible with previous cards.^[9][10][11]

An electronic ID (Icelandic: Rafræn Skilríki) is issued separately from the regular ID card.^[12] 97% of Icelanders had an active electronic ID (eID) in 2022.^[13]

Characteristics

The new credit card-sized (ID-1) cards have been issued since March 2024. They feature digital biometrics, are machine-readable, and are the first in the world to adhere to the new ICAO 9303 standard which requires a rotated portrait image of the card holder.^[14]

The new cards are valid abroad as travel documentation for travel across the European Economic Area, Switzerland and a few other countries in Europe. An additional version of the card without travel rights is also available.^[10] The card is written in both Icelandic and English. They are valid for 10 years for adults and for 5 years for children under the age of 18.^[11]

 

Countries and regions in which the Icelandic identity card is valid.

International acceptance

As an alternative to presenting a passport, Icelandic citizens are entitled to use their ID card to exercise their right of free movement in EFTA, EU and Nordic countries.^[10] Icelandic identity cards are also accepted for entry to countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, French Overseas Territories and Montserrat (for max. 14 days).^[11]

Strictly speaking, it is not necessary for an EEA or Swiss citizen to possess a valid national identity card or passport to enter the EEA and Switzerland. In theory, if an EEA or Swiss citizen can prove their nationality by any other means (e.g. by presenting an expired national identity card or passport, or a citizenship certificate), they must be permitted to enter the EEA and Switzerland. An EEA or Swiss citizen who is unable to demonstrate their nationality satisfactorily must, nonetheless, be given 'every reasonable opportunity' to obtain the necessary documents or to have them delivered within a reasonable period of time.^[15]

For travel within the Nordic countries no identity documentation is legally required for Icelandic citizens due to the Nordic Passport Union, but one must be able to prove their citizenship by acceptable means; for example with an identity card.^[16]

ID card without travel rights

A distinct version of the ID card is available without travel rights and does not state Icelandic citizenship. This card is designed for individuals who may not be legally permitted to travel internationally and for children aged 13–18 applying for a card without travel consent from their parents/guardians.^[11] Cards without travel rights have a clear warning on the card (in place of the MRZ), and the document number begins with II (instead of standard ID).^[17]

Issue

ID cards are issued by local sheriffs on behalf of Registers Iceland to Icelandic citizens, regardless of age. The ID cards are issued in the same way as Icelandic passports. The consent of a parent/guardian must be submitted for persons under the age of 13. For cards issued with travel rights for a child aged under 18, both parents/guardians must give their consent.^[11]

Applicants must turn up to the place of issue, with another valid or expired physical ID (passport or driving licence). If an ID cannot be shown, two witnesses, over the age of 18, can verify the applicant's identity straight at the place of application with their own IDs.^[18]

ID cards can also be issued by Icelandic consulates abroad in the same way as a passport.^[11]

A distinct biometric residence permit card (Icelandic: Dvalarleyfisskírteini) in the standard EU-format is issued to non-EEA residents in Iceland, since Icelandic identity cards are never issued to non-Icelandic citizens.

Cost

The nominal cost of issuance of an ID card is 9,200 ISK (ages 18–66). A reduced price of 4,600 ISK is charged for children, elderly and disabled citizens. For an expedited issuance (within 2 days) the price is doubled. The cost is the same for a card with and without travel rights.^[19][20]

Electronic identification (eID)

 

Icelandic eID card. The EMV chip is on the other side.

In Iceland electronic IDs (Icelandic: Rafræn skilríki) are extensively used by the public and private sectors today and were first introduced in 2008. The most widely used version is on a mobile phone - with the authentication key held on a SIM card. In Iceland 97% of the eligible population (13 years or older) has an active eID, including 75% of over 75s. Icelandic eID holders used their eID more than 20 times a month in 2021. They are administered by Auðkenni hf., which was initially created by a consortium of banks but is now owned by the government. eIDs are equally as valid as other physical IDs, but are only for online/electronic identification and cannot be used in person.^[21]

At enrollment centres (e.g. banks or phone companies) users present physical ID (e.g. a passport) and create a PIN. Each time they need to identify, verify or sign something online the PIN code is validated through a SIM app, smartphone app or smartcard. Today, this system is used by all banks, e-government services (island.is portal), healthcare, education, document signing and over 300 private companies using for customer page logins (linked to the Icelandic ID no.). Since the only thing you need to remember is your own PIN code and your phone, it is very widespread and works as a sort of single-sign-on service.

As of 2023, there are three versions of eIDs:^[22]

 

Login process for island.is using an Icelandic SIM mobile eID, implemented using flash SMS.

1. Physical digital ID EMV smartcards (Icelandic: Einkaskilríki) which are valid for 1 year and do not contain a photo, and are thereby only usable electronically. The PIN code and authentication is validated using a smartcard reader and software on a PC.
2. SIM card digital IDs: an authentication key is held within a SIM card. When using the eID, a prompt via flash SMS is initiated and the PIN code is validated. An Icelandic SIM card is required. This is the most widespread implementation of eIDs.^[21]
3. App digital eID: a mobile application available on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Biometric enrollment using an ePassport is possible using the app, removing the need to visit an enrollment centre. Authentication is held on the device and the PIN is entered through the app.^[23]

Development

Digital ID cards initially rolled out in 2000 to a limited number employees of government departments, large companies and the healthcare system who regularly accessed sensitive information. In late 2008 digital IDs were rolled out more widely in the healthcare and accountant sectors. A physical eID card could be paired with a smartcard reader on the client's computer to enable eID functions.^[24] It was also previously possible to store one's eID on an EMV debit card.^[6]

In November 2013 the SIM card implementation for mobile phones was introduced, which led to a much quicker take-up of eIDs due to its ease of use.^[25] By 2014, 40% of Icelanders were using eIDs, rising to 97% in 2022.^[26]

Some issues arose with the mobile SIM implementation as an Icelandic SIM card was required, precluding Icelandic citizens living abroad. Additionally, they were incompatible withs increasingly prevalent eSIMs, due to international eID standards. Therefore in 2022, a new smartphone app implementation was introduced, along with the ability to biometrically enroll using an ePassport.

History

 

Icelandic 'passport' used as an identification document during wartime from 1942-1945.

Earlier ID cards

In medieval times, while under the control of other Scandinavian powers, internal passports were required for certain individuals. The first legal instance of internal passports, then called Reisupassi or passi, were issued from 1781 for certain individuals travelling between regions of Iceland (mostly freemen). In the 19th century, the role of internal passports was questioned, progressively unenforced, and were officially repealed in 1907.^[27]

International passports have been issued since at least the early 1900s for travel but were uncommon.^[28] In 1941, during the British occupation of Iceland of the Second World War, emergency laws were introduced allowing passports to be used domestically. From 1942 until 1945, a simplified version of 'passports', essentially acting as identity documents, were issued by Icelandic police to all residents, who were required to carry them at all times.^[29] The design was different from international passport booklets, being a simple blue printed paper card with a photograph.^[30][31] The requirement to bear them at all times was abolished after the occupation.^[29]

1965-2024 identity cards

In 1951 a new agency, Registers Iceland, was created and began the Icelandic national register. In 1959 a new form of ID number was taken into use, called a 'name number' (Icelandic: Nafnnúmer).^[32]

The passports in use during the Second World War were not designed for everyday use and a new identification solution needed to be found. After the new 'Nafnnúmer' ID numbers were created, identity cards were launched in 1965. Icelandic citizens and those legally resident in Iceland were eligible for the ID card at 12 years of age; the cards were valid indefinitely.^[12]

They were usually issued to all children, distributed by schools at the age of 12.^[12] In 1974 the laws were changed to issue cards from the age of 14, to make photographs more recognisable at later ages (as cards were valid indefinitely).^[33]

The identity cards were and continue to be voluntary. Use of the cards was somewhat necessary for younger people, due to age restrictions on buying alcohol, attending social events where alcohol is served as well as outdoor curfews until the age of 16.^[34]

The ID cards were laminated white paper cards in ID-2 size (105x74mm) with a personal photograph stamped by the issuing authority. The cards were only written in Icelandic. The reverse side contained an explanation of the contents of the card.^[35] The ID cards did not have an expiry date or document number.^[12] In earlier versions they contained the person's name number, birth number, residence address and 4-digit postal number of residence (not the Icelandic post codes but the postal number). They were previously free of charge for the first issue, with a photograph being provided by the applicant.^[20]

In 1986, Icelandic ID numbers replaced older 'name numbers' on the card and citizenship started to be included.^[36] In the late 1990s to early 2000s, identity cards stopped being issued by default to children and had to be collected from sheriffs or Registers Iceland.^[37] In 2020, residence information stopped being printed on cards. From 1 December 2023, an expiry date of 31 December 2025 was printed on old-style cards.^[38] On 1 March 2024, Registers Iceland stopped the issuance of the old-style cards.^[39]

All ID cards issued before 2013 expired in December 2023 and cards issued before March 2024 will expire by 31 December 2025.^[18][10]

Characteristics

Until their last issue in 2024, the information contained on the cards included:^[12]

• Full name
• Icelandic identification number (Icelandic: Kennitala), containing date of birth
• Place of birth
• Citizenship (RF.XX, where XX is the two letter country code e.g. RF.IS for Icelandic citizens)
• Date of issue
• Photograph (dated stamp by the issuing authority, usually Registers Iceland)

•  
  Card issued in 1966
•  
  Card issued in the late 2010s

Travel acceptance

The old-style Icelandic ID cards did not fulfil document security requirements. They were not registered in the EU travel document database PRADO and were not certified by the Icelandic government as a travel document. Security problems included the lack of an expiration date, a document number and an explicit date of birth (only displayed within the national ID no.).^[40]

However, for travel within the Nordic countries no identity documentation is legally required for Icelandic citizens due to the Nordic Passport Union but one must prove their citizenship of a Nordic country by acceptable means.^[16] The old-style card did contain the holder's citizenship, but this was not clearly indicated on the card as the explanation was only written in Icelandic.

Nevertheless, its obscurity and lack of security features mean that it was never a practical travel document.^[41] This is supplemented by the fact that Icelandic passport regulations dictated that Icelandic citizens must carry their passports when travelling outside the Nordic Countries.^[42]

Debit and credit cards

In 1993, debit cards were launched and contained a picture and national identity number (thereby containing their date of birth) of the cardholder. These were intended for cashiers to verify the identity of the person paying, acting as a cheque guarantee card.^[43] In 1995 photographs were also added to credit cards.^[44]

As a result of their ubiquity and relative security compared to other forms of ID, bank-issued payment cards became a de facto form of identification, with most businesses and domestic airlines accepting them. In conjunction with over 90%^[45] of citizens possessing driving licences (domestically an official form of ID), the Icelandic ID cards became somewhat redundant.^[46]

Bank cards were quite easy to falsify due to their lack of security features.^[47] In 2019–2022, banks stopped printing photographs and ID numbers on payment cards, as cheques were phased out.^[48]

Need for a new ID card

Identity cards were becoming progressively popular, increasing from 649 units issued in 2019 to 1,555 in 2020. Identity cards are important for citizens who live a car-free lifestyle and do not possess a passport, who previously relied on debit/credit cards as ID.^[9]

There were plans in 2007 to introduce an updated ID card with a chip for digital capability which would have allowed their use abroad.^[49][48] The combined ID solution never came to fruition, and separate digital ID smartcards (Icelandic: Einkaskilríki) were introduced in 2008 (see below).^[6]

The Icelandic ID cards (unchanged from 1965) were quite easy to falsify; even though identity fraud rate remains low in Iceland.^[50] In the late 2010s issues began to arise from fraudulent collections of pharmacy prescriptions by using falsified Icelandic ID cards.^[51] Around the same time, the EU regulations on the design of national identity cards were updated in 2019 and ID cards did not fulfil security requirements.^[52] Old-style ID cards did not contain an expiry date or document number, and were only issued in Icelandic.

New EU-Standard ID cards

In 2022 it was announced that an updated design according to EU standards would be introduced. A new law was passed in June 2023 taking effect in December 2023 and new ID cards were introduced in March 2024.^[9] New regulations were introduced in March 2024 outlining the specifications of the new cards.^[53]

The new credit card-sized ID cards include digital biometric features (like fingerprints) and comply with ICAO 9303 standards. Issuance of the card was transferred to local sheriffs and are issued in the same way as Icelandic passports. The new cards are valid abroad as travel documents within the EU and the EFTA, and are accepted by a few other European countries.^[13] The new cards remain voluntary and complement other existing forms of identification. The new law also restricts the issuance solely to Icelandic citizens and introduces an issuance fee.^[10] The new cards are the first in the world to adhere to the new ICAO 9303 standard with a rotated image of the card holder.^[54]

On 5 March 2024, Registers Iceland began the issuance of the new cards.^[39] All ID cards issued before 2013 expired in December 2023 and cards issued before March 2024 will expire by 2026.^[18][10]

See also

• National identity cards in the European Economic Area
• Icelandic identification number
• Icelandic nationality law
• Visa requirements for Icelandic citizens
• Icelandic passport
• Norwegian identity card

References

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