Munich, Paris–A regulation scheduled for adoption before the end of the year will see the European Union introducing a uniform version of the resident permit that all 27 member states issue to third-country nationals. This harmonization is intended to improve document security and make it easier to verify entitlement to residence. The new EU resident permit is expected to be a smart card-based document that stores biometric data securely. Giesecke & Devrient (G&D), a leading global provider of smart cards and ID documents, is unveiling an electronic residence card at Cartes 2007 that supports both contact-based and contactless data transmission.

“The electronic resident permit once again demonstrates our leading role as a provider of chip-based identity documents and security printing. The card we are unveiling in Paris shows that our solutions already meet all the requirements of the EU Commission,” says Hans Wolfgang Kunz, the Management Board member responsible for Government Solutions at G&D.

A technical specification is due be published by 2008 that will ensure compatibility between all electronic residence cards, EU-wide. The new European resident permit will then be rolled out in all member states within a two-year period following release of the specification. The specification will include two biometric identifiers—a facial image and two fingerprints. Data stored on the chip integrated into the electronic residence card will be encrypted and can be transmitted either via the contacts on the chip surface or contactlessly. Depending on country-specific requirements, the chip can also incorporate other applications. Accordingly, the electronic resident permit being presented by G&D at Cartes contains all the e-government functions envisaged for the European Citizen Card (ECC). This will allow cardholders to use electronic public services, for example, or to uniquely authenticate their identity when shopping online or accessing other Internet services.

Scheduled for introduction from 2010, the resident permit can act as a temporary entitlement to residence, permanent residency permit, or a visa. It is estimated that 20 million people within the EU require such a permit. The new electronic resident permit will replace the labels used to date, which no longer meet increasing security demands.

About Giesecke & Devrient: Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a technology leader in the field of smart cards, providing smart card based solutions for telecommunications, electronic payment, health care, ID, transportation, and IT security (PKI). G&D is also a leading producer of banknotes and security documents and is dominant in the field of currency automation. Based in Munich, Germany, the G&D group has subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world. In fiscal 2006, the Group employed close to 8,300 people and generated revenue of almost €1.3 billion. For more information, visit our Web site at www.gi-de.com.