Is an identity card issued to a non-citizen an acceptable document to travel within the EU?

8/16/2016 5:02:16 AM

I am a German citizen living in Estonia. I use my Estonian ID as travel document within the EU. I have used it at Riga and Tallinn airport to fly to Germany and I have used it in Germany to fly back to Riga. I hav also used it on the ferries to Helsinki and Stockholm. This is because it really only serves as an “identity document” within the EU and I do not need to prove citizenship at a border crossing. I would not try to use it if I were going to Turkey or some other country that doesn’t require passports from EU citizens, but requires the ID card.

1/25/2016 10:06:39 PM

I suspect very strongly that the consequence is that it may be used as a travel document only for citizens of Estonia. Note that the PRADO entry actually describes the card’s legal status with two sentences:

Travel document issued to nationals of: EST – Estonia • EESTI •

Identity card issued to citizens of Estonia and citizens of the European Union living in Estonia and holding a valid residence document

This most likely means that the card legally functions as a travel document only if issued to an Estonian citizen. A Finnish citizen living in Estonia must travel using a Finnish ID card or passport.

However, in the context of proving EU citizenship without a proper travel document, this card would have to be among the more effective documents available.

Logically, the difference is that this document proves that Estonian authorities are convinced that the bearer is Finnish. They are not competent, however, to make a definite determination on that question; only Finnish authorities can do that. That’s why only Finland can issue a proper travel document to a Finnish citizen.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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