Montenegro Sees Surge in ID Card Applications Ahead of Deadline

The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Montenegro announced that a staggering 4,902 applications for new personal identification cards were submitted in just one day. This surge is attributed to the impending deadline for replacing third-generation ID cards, which is set for September 30, 2023. The Ministry confirmed that there will be no extensions granted for this deadline.

As the expiration date approaches, citizens have shown increased interest in obtaining new identification documents. This has led to significant queues and delays at the Ministry’s offices. In June alone, 10,093 applications were recorded, while the first 25 days of September saw a remarkable total of 36,041 applications.

Details on the New ID Cards

The new third-generation ID cards, which have been issued since March 30, 2023, provide enhanced security features and are designed as electronic public documents. The application procedure remains unchanged, and citizens are exempt from administrative fees, needing only to pay a nominal fee of €5 for the card template. Payments can be made at the Post of Montenegro branches.

These electronic ID cards facilitate a range of administrative tasks online, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices. Citizens seeking further information can contact local Ministry units at 020/225-341 or via email at [email protected].

Potential Consequences of Non-Compliance

As of now, 82,046 citizens still need to replace their old ID cards before the looming deadline. The Ministry has reported that 486,551 ID cards have already been replaced. Failure to comply with the deadline could result in fines ranging from €60 to €300 for those who do not submit their applications on time. This includes individuals who fail to request a replacement within eight days after their current ID card expires.

The law mandates that all citizens whose ID cards were issued before March 30, 2020 must replace them. Initially, the deadline for these replacements was set for March 30, 2025, but it was brought forward to the current date.

In addition to the rush for ID cards, citizens may soon find themselves facing long lines at the Fund for Health Insurance. Those wishing to use their new ID cards as health insurance books must activate them at the Fund’s offices. Currently, this process cannot be completed electronically via the e-Health platform due to system limitations.

To date, 219,232 insured individuals have verified their ID cards within the health system. As the deadline approaches, the potential for increased wait times is evident, prompting many to prepare for a hectic final week before the September 30 cut-off.