WRITTEN QUESTION E-1303/96 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (31 May 1996)

Subject: Charge for the European passport and its period of validity

Complaints by Dutch citizens reveal that charges for passports and their period of validity differ in the various EU countries.

1. Can the Commission indicate what each EU Member State now charges for the European passport and how long it is valid in each EU country?

2. Does the Commission appreciate that the citizens of Europe are rather annoyed about the differences in charges for the European passport and in its period of validity, and is it prepared to propose to the Council that the charges and periods of validity should be harmonized, so that it is not just the cover of the passport that is European?

Supplementary joint answer to Written Questions E-1185/96 and E-1303/96 given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (24 April 1997)

1. and 2. The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the table below. The prices indicated relate to the situation as at 1 March 1997.

The average price of passports is ECU 47.28 and that of identity cards ECU 11. The table clearly identifies those Member States where these prices are considerably above or below average.

3. The Commission has no intention at this stage of proposing that the prices of passports and identity cards issued by the Member States to their nationals be harmonized. If, however, such a step were envisaged, for instance with a view to improving the security of these documents, the cost of obtaining them would be one of the factors it would take into account.

>TABLE>

(1) Normal price. This excludes special prices for specific groups (e.g. young persons under 18, persons over 65 and the supplement charged for rapid delivery). (2) Normal validity. This excludes special validity periods for specific groups (e.g. young persons under 18 and persons over 65). (3) a) Where passports are issued for 5 years, the price reflects the cost of renewal for a further 5 years; this provides a basis for comparison with passports issued for 10 years. b) Normal price. This excludes special prices for specific groups (e.g. young persons under 18, persons over 65 and the supplement charged for rapid delivery). c) Price of uniform passport (except for Sweden; see footnote 11). (4) Calculated using the ecu exchange rate as at 4 March 1997, published in OJ C 68, 5.3.1997. (5) a) Where identity cards are issued for 5 years, the price reflects the cost of renewal for a further 5years; this provides a basis for comparison with identity cards issued for 10 years. b) Normal price. This excludes special prices for specific groups (young persons under 18 or persons over 65). (6) Tax varying from one municipality to another. (7) Member State does not issue identity cards to its nationals. (8) Stamp duty may be added, where applicable. (9) Variation due to the inclusion of municipal tax, which is a variable amount. (10) The price is not set at national level. Under the decentralized Dutch system, prices are fixed by each municipality and are therefore subject to variation. (11) Swedish passports are not yet issued in the uniform format. The Resolution of the Representatives of the Governments of the MemberStates, meeting within the Council on 10 July 1995 (OJ C 200, 4.8.1995), set 1 January 1998 as the deadline for Sweden to start to issue the new European passports. (12) Gibraltar identity card.