Starting as of 2012 until the end of 2020 Latvia has issued:
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1 797 958 Latvian personal identity cards or eID cards, including
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15 244 personal identity cards of the citizen of the European Union;
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32 5621 residence permits;
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64 464 personal identity cards of the Latvian aliens.
Latvian personal identity cards or eID cards are issued starting from 2 April 2012.
Unlike a passport, the benefits of an identity card are both its size and its functionality.
It can be easily carried every day in order to prove your identity whenever you need it, because the eID card is similar in size to a payment card or driver's license.
The second most important advantage of eID cards in comparison with passports is that they enable a person to prove his/her identity not only in person, but also remotely - by using the Internet and a secure electronic signature.
Upon receipt of the new card, every interested person also receives a PIN envelope with included PIN codes, which enables to make e-signatures in an unlimited way. PIN codes ensure authentication and electronic signature and they may be used only and solely by the holder of the eID card, who is aware of the relevant PIN codes.
The eID card of a Latvian citizen can be used as a travel document within the territory of the European Union, European Economic Area countries and the Swiss Confederation.
New sample eID card
On 2 September 2019, the issuing of a new sample eID card was started. It has a built-in viewport with a personalized face image of the card holder and other innovative security features such as a colour photo of the eID card holder.
We plan that e-signature and electronic identification will also work in a contact less environment in the future and will open wider opportunities for the use of mobile devices.