Biometric passport
02/07/25
It has been issued since 2009 in accordance with the Community Regulation of December 13, 2004.
What is the purpose of a biometric passport?
A passport is a travel document that allows entry into many countries.
Within the European Union (EU), a valid national identity card is sufficient for travel.
What are its main features?
The biometric passport is valid:
- 10 years for an adult
- 5 years for a minor
This travel document (and secure document) includes an electronic component in which data relating to
- vital records
- the scanned passport photo
- the image of two of the holder's fingerprints.
This is what explains the term biometric.
Passports are issued directly to applicants at the municipal government office.
The biometric passport of a person over 12 years old cannot be issued to a third party, as the town hall officer verifies the applicant's fingerprints at the time of passport delivery. Children under 12 are exempt from the obligation to provide their fingerprints when applying for a passport or national identity card.
How much does it cost?
Applicants must provide two passport-size photographs. The cost of the passport is:
- For adults: 86 euros
- For minors over 15: 42 euros
- For minors under 15: 17 euros
If photographs are taken on-site, only at embassies and consulates:
- For adults: 89 euros
- For minors over 15: 45 euros
- For minors under 15: 20 euros
Since 2 April 2013, people who travel abroad very frequently can apply for a "frequent traveller passport".
What is the role of the ANTS?
The Agency acquires, and provides prefectures, town halls, police stations, and consulates with, the equipment needed to manage and check the authenticity and validity of the passport and also maintains that equipment (or has it maintained).
The ANTS designs, operates, and administers the systems for processing applications and issuing passports.
Biometric passport
02/07/25
It has been issued since 2009 in accordance with the Community Regulation of December 13, 2004.
What is the purpose of a biometric passport?
A passport is a travel document that allows entry into many countries.
Within the European Union (EU), a valid national identity card is sufficient for travel.
What are its main features?
The biometric passport is valid:
- 10 years for an adult
- 5 years for a minor
This travel document (and secure document) includes an electronic component in which data relating to
- vital records
- the scanned passport photo
- the image of two of the holder's fingerprints.
This is what explains the term biometric.
Passports are issued directly to applicants at the municipal government office.
The biometric passport of a person over 12 years old cannot be issued to a third party, as the town hall officer verifies the applicant's fingerprints at the time of passport delivery. Children under 12 are exempt from the obligation to provide their fingerprints when applying for a passport or national identity card.
How much does it cost?
Applicants must provide two passport-size photographs. The cost of the passport is:
- For adults: 86 euros
- For minors over 15: 42 euros
- For minors under 15: 17 euros
If photographs are taken on-site, only at embassies and consulates:
- For adults: 89 euros
- For minors over 15: 45 euros
- For minors under 15: 20 euros
Since 2 April 2013, people who travel abroad very frequently can apply for a "frequent traveller passport".
What is the role of the ANTS?
The Agency acquires, and provides prefectures, town halls, police stations, and consulates with, the equipment needed to manage and check the authenticity and validity of the passport and also maintains that equipment (or has it maintained).
The ANTS designs, operates, and administers the systems for processing applications and issuing passports.