Since July 2026, citizens of Cyprus have been receiving new biometric identity cards that no longer display the cardholder's parents' names. The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed that there are no plans to return to the previous format. The change was introduced after the renewal of the government's contract with the company responsible for producing the new ID cards. The decision was made by the Civil Registry and Migration Department following consultations with the Commissioner for Children's Rights.
The change was not officially announced in advance, so many Cypriots only became aware of it when collecting their new identity cards. It is worth noting that some IDs issued in early July still included parents' names. The Ministry of the Interior explained that this was due to a short transition period during which both the old and new document templates were being used.
Why Parents' Details Were Removed from ID Cards
The authorities say the main reason for the change is the protection of personal data. According to the Ministry of the Interior, an identity card is intended solely to verify the identity of its holder. Information about parents is not required for identification and remains available in other official documents, such as birth certificates.
Another reason is the protection of privacy. For example, when information about a person's father was previously unavailable or unknown, the relevant field was left blank, which could unintentionally reveal personal circumstances. In addition, an analysis conducted by the ministry found that in most European Union countries, parents' names have long been absent from national identity cards.
The changes also align with the provisions of EU Regulation 2025/1208, which establishes common standards for national identity cards across EU member states. However, the regulation does not prohibit including parents' names, instead leaving that decision to each individual country. As a result, removing this information was an independent decision made by Cyprus.
The New System Has Sparked Political Debate
Despite the official explanations, the change has triggered an active public debate. The ELAM party opposed the reform, arguing that removing parents' names from identity cards undermines the importance of the family institution. Party representatives called for the previous format to be restored and urged the Minister of the Interior to intervene personally. The government maintains that the change is solely part of the document's modernisation and its alignment with current personal data protection standards, without affecting family law or citizens' rights.
What ID Card Holders in Cyprus Should Know
The new identity cards remain valid under the same conditions as the previous documents. Only the information displayed on the front of the card has changed.
Key facts:
- since July 2026, new biometric ID cards have been issued without parents' names;
- previously issued identity cards remain valid until their expiration date;
- information about parents continues to be stored in government registers and birth certificates;
- holding an identity card remains mandatory for all Cypriot citizens aged 12 and over.
The transition to the new format is part of Cyprus' ongoing digital modernisation of public services. In recent years, the authorities have been upgrading the national identification system, expanding the use of gov.cy electronic services and implementing modern personal data protection standards in line with European Union requirements.