An e-Estonia has a new ID

TALLINN – In countries propelling the technological advances of the 21st century, a bank teller might raise an eyebrow at Johnny, who lives around the block, yet whips out a worn passport from his wallet to use as ID to open an account.

Estonians without a driver's license have been in "Johnny's" shoes for nine years. Most of the passports they have toted around to use as an all-purpose ID will expire in 2002, but by renewal time, people will finally have an option in sync with the information age: a plastic, pocket-sized electronic ID card.

The government approved the plan March 14 for the new electronic ID cards to be used for domestic identification purposes around the second half of next year. People will be able to apply for the new card, a passport, or both.

The new cards will also be cheaper for Estonians who don't travel internationally and thus do not need a passport. While passports cost 100 kroons – a substantial sum when the average daily wage hovers around 150 kroons – the price tag on the plastic cards will be two to five times cheaper, according to Jarno Laur, adviser to the Ministry of Population.

Laur said the cards will be modeled after the Swedish and Finnish versions, and they will be available for both Estonian citizens and residence permit-holders of all ages.

"There will be no difference between citizens and non-citizens," said Laur.

"The idea is to combine as many functions onto a piece of plastic: you can use it in civil service, for private businesses, at the doctor's office," he explained. "The cards are for state and personal use, and they are cost-effective."

All public administration services should become available on the Internet with the introduction of the cards. Laur said that the cards will be designed to allow for modifications, including the possibility for future international use.

It is too early in the preliminary stages, however, to determine the exact information the cards will contain, he said.

The Citizenship and Migration Board has led the committee on the ID cards. The idea sprouted 18 months ago and has developed rapidly since, said Urmas Krull, the Board's press officer.

Prime Minister Mart Laar cited European Commission President Romano Prodi's idea of an "e-Europe," saying that Estonia is sure to rank among the front-runners in this field, according to a Baltic News Service report.

The cards will be of the "chip" instead of the magnetic variety, because the former have a longer life and are more tamperproof than magnetic cards.