All identity cards issued by the police in Finland are embedded with a chip, except for an ID card issued to a minor without the consent of the parent/guardian and temporary ID cards. An ID card embedded with a chip and issued by the police contains the Population Register Centre's Citizen Certificate, which can be used to identify reliably the person when using on-line services.
Therefore, the ID card is a safe network key for public- and private-sector on-line services that require identification. The card may also be used to encrypt and electronically sign documents and e-mail messages. In addition to being an ID, the card replaces a passport as a valid travel document both in the Nordic countries and in EU Member States, Switzerland, San Marino and Liechtenstein. If desired, health insurance information also may be included in the ID card, in which case it replaces the separate KELA card.
ID cards are issued by the police. The PRC provides the card with the certificates required for identification. In on-line services, the ID card is used with a reader device attached to the computer and card reader software.
The ID card costs € 48 and is valid for five years.
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