First, the good news. After European Union accession, Bulgarians will be able to travel to other EU countries using only their identity cards in lieu of passports. Now, the other news. This will mean issuing, after a transition period, new identity cards.
According to official Government statements, a citizen will need to get a new card only when a current card expires. Let us hope this decision is adhered to, rather than a decision being made later to tell everyone to get new cards. Further, there is talk of including new features on these cards, possibly including biometric data and blood group. Surprisingly, no one has yet mentioned adding a cute little blue flag with a circle of little gold stars on it, like other EU countries, but perhaps this will be added into the mix too.
Well, it should be expected that the normal course of things would involve every citizen getting a new ID card – although one wonders whether the time period of the validity of these cards is realistic - and perhaps no one should quibble about a few extra security features being chucked in as well. Getting a new card involves, of course, a pilgrimage to the local Interior Ministry office to go through the rigmarole of filling in forms, providing photographs and, of course, paying fees. As to the latter, who knows whether the fees paid have any relation to the cost of administering the system and issuing the cards? If biometric data and blood groups are to be included, how will this be done? Will several million people be sent on to some other official institution to roll up their sleeves, or will the state just take your word for it that you know your blood group?
So, at some point in the near future, the process at Interior Ministry offices may get even more time-consuming.
But many are rather crowded already, with citizens applying for documents in the normal course of things, and with foreigners applying for various forms of long-term and permanent residence. There is, however, an opportunity to improve the system, given that the pressure on Interior Ministry offices and those that must trek to them could be eased by a more sensible approach to the system of long-term and permanent residence for foreigners.
With Government decisions that have taken into account EU accession and Bulgaria’s good relations with other countries, there has been an easing of the burden on the state and visitors from some countries with regard to visas. However, this is not enough. Bulgaria currently has a system of issuing six-month and one-year permits for long-term stay, with a lichna karta issued accordingly, while foreigners may also apply for permanent residence. It is in this area that opportunities lie for greater efficiencies. For example, a six-month residence permit comes complete with a lichna karta. But permission for such a stay is also reflected in a stamp in the foreigner’s passport. Why not abolish the necessity for a lichna karta and accept simply the stamp in the passport, which is in any case a legally recognised document? This would save on time, money and non-biodegradable plastic. Alternatively, abolish the six-month residence in favour of one-year extendable residence. Doing this, even with the accompanying issuing of ID cards, would at least lessen the queues. As to permanent residence, make it truly permanent. Issue cards valid for 10 years, irrespective of when a national passport expires. Ten years at least is a workable time frame for such cards, given wear and tear and the fact that over a decade, photographs may go out of date.
Rethink the system somehow to make it less onerous and speedier, but somehow something must be done to reduce the negative impact of the current system regarding cost – to the state and the applicant – and the time needed for the process, including productivity lost while employees cool their heels in queues.
