Estonia is introducing redesigned passports
The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) have released designs of the new Estonian passport which will be issued starting from 1 January 2021. In the redesigned passports, the PPA has integrated security elements as part of the passport design. Minister of Interior of Estonia explained that the new passport design ties the history, present and future of Estonia, which are equally important to us. “Based on the basics of Estonian statehood, the cover of the passport has a national coat of arms with three lions and the design of the passport’s pages is modern and forward-looking. On the one hand, the passport is an important symbol for its citizens, and on the other hand, it tells the story of Estonia in the world. In the new design, the two objectives are well-balanced,” the minister said.
Estonia is known in the world for its innovation and unique solutions – for example, we have e-residency, the startup visa and the digital nomad visa. “This image is also supported by the modern design of the new travel documents – the design uses elements of Estonian nature, which are cleverly combined with the country’s symbols and security elements,” the minister added.
“Some of the security elements are visible, some can be felt with fingers and some can only be checked with special light or a magnifying glass,” said Eliisa Sau, chief expert of the PPA Identity and Status Bureau. The material of the personal data page will now be made from polycarbonate, which is also used for ID cards.
More information and photos of the new design can be found here.