**New Format Cyprus ID Cards to Remain in Effect**
The Ministry of Interior in Cyprus has confirmed that the recent changes to the format of national ID cards will remain in place. As of July, newly issued biometric ID cards will no longer include the names of the bearer’s parents, a decision made by the Civil Registry based on recommendations from the Commissioner for Children’s Rights.
This alteration was implemented without prior public notification, leading to some controversy. According to sources from the Interior Ministry, the change aligns with the EU Regulation 2025/1208, which establishes uniform standards for identification cards across member states. While the regulation does not explicitly prohibit the inclusion of parents' names, it allows individual countries to determine their own practices. Cyprus has opted to remove these details from ID cards, citing the importance of personal data privacy.
Interior ministry officials explained that the primary purpose of an ID card is to verify the identity of the holder, not to provide information about their parents. They noted that relevant parental information is still available through other official documents, such as birth certificates. The change also aims to protect the privacy of individuals who may have unknown parentage, as leaving the parents' names blank on the old format could inadvertently disclose sensitive personal information.
The decision has sparked significant backlash from the political party Elam, which has characterized the move as an "unacceptable attempt to undermine the sacred institution of the family." Party spokesman Marios Pelekanos raised concerns about the implications of the change, questioning whether it might lead to further alterations in family terminology on official documents, such as the introduction of terms like "Parent 1" and "Parent 2." Elam has called for the immediate reinstatement of the previous ID card format and has warned of potential "dynamic measures" if their demands are not met.
Despite the controversy, the Interior Ministry has stated that they have no plans to revert to the old format. They emphasized that the majority of ID cards in other EU countries do not include fields for parents' names, supporting their decision to align Cyprus with broader European practices.
As of now, all citizens of Cyprus aged 12 and older are required by law to possess an ID card. Reports have emerged of at least one individual receiving a new ID card in July that still included the names of parents, which an official attributed to a transitional phase during the implementation of the new format.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the ID card changes reflect broader societal debates about family structures and the importance of personal privacy in official documentation. As the Ministry of Interior stands firm on its decision, it remains to be seen how this issue will evolve and what further responses may arise from various stakeholders in Cyprus.