Identity Documents & Solutions

Trusted identity is a vital component of a well-functioning society.

That's why improving security, slashing ID fraud and identity theft, and creating an infrastructure of trust for new online access are high on every government's agenda, with a call for greater security features and the necessary legislation to implement them.​

Many advanced countries are now demonstrating that, beyond the security benefits for both states and individuals, national ID cards with their derived digital IDs can provide citizens and businesses with real services and benefits without infringing upon new rules on data protection and civil liberties. 

Secure national ID cards.

​Many countries are now upgrading their national documents and rolling out government-issued IDs in the form of credit cards. 

These new ID documents include high-security printing features to deter fraud. 

Polycarbonate as a material of choice

Polycarbonate is an increasingly popular choice for many ID programs worldwide, as it significantly enhances the level of ID document security.​

We explain in detail what sets polycarbonate apart from other materials and why its layered structure is also ideally suited to deploying security features in our web dossier.​​

At Thales, we are committed to tackling the environmental challenges posed by greenhouse gas emissions while upholding the integrity and security of identity documents. Our company's strategy includes reducing emissions as our main lever and supporting high quality offset projects for remaining emissions

We incorporate eco-friendly design principles systematically at every stage, from product conception to re-engineering. Since 2023, all our new product integrate eco-design principles.

Since 2018, we have accelerated our emissions reduction plan in our manufacturing sites by focusing on energy efficiency and renewable electricity. In the identity documents business, key initiatives include deploying Energy Management Systems and achieving ISO 50001 certification for continuous improvements in energy efficiency for our main sites. Additionally, since 2023, all electricity consumed at our main sites is procured as renewable energy, accounting for over 70% of our energy consumption.

Thales is now able to offer certified products maintaining product appearance, durability and customization. At the beginning of 2024, two factories have been certified ISCC PLUS.

What does it mean ? 

Certified polycarbonate enables manufacturers to create plastic products with a reduced environmental impact by using renewable alternatives in the production process. 
These includes bio-sourced materials such as waste from the paper and wood industries or cooking oil (second generation bio-based raw material) which is mixed with conventionally sourced product. 

This approach, utilizing a mass balance concept, promotes sustainability and the use of renewable and circular resources. 

The process is regulated by the internationally recognized ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification).
 

The ISCC PLUS certification of the entire supply chain guarantees that the renewable sources used meet the ISCC PLUS standards, ensuring the origin of the materials used in the production process adheres to these high standards.
The two factories – Vantaa and Gdansk - have been certified ISCC PLUS.
 

A digital identity for each citizen

These National ID programs are also the opportunity to create a secure digital identity for each cardholder.

These secure electronic identity cards, called eID cards or simply eIDs, open the gate to secure and trusted online services. 

The most common applications for these smart cards are smart to travel documents, electronic IDs, electronic signatures, municipal cards, key cards used to access secure areas or business infrastructures, social security cards, etc. 

As the leading provider of secure, tailor-made ID solutions, Thales can help governments improve security and deploy electronic applications to offer better public services and cut administration costs.

Our expertise in numerous government ids worldwide can also help accelerate the dynamics of your national digital framework of trust.​

Thales Gemalto's eID card solutions increase citizen protection, contribute to better control of immigration, and offer an effective means of ID checking, such as biometric authentication, using security that is always one step ahead.

Thales offers a variety of secure eID cards with a range of professional solutions for a complete solution, including ID verification software and smart ID scanners, which can be delivered as individual systems or using a managed service option.  

ID cards and eID initiatives: a wealth of best practices to share

Thales is contributing to 40 national eID programs: 

• in Europe (Belgium, Czech ​Republic, ​Italy,​ Finland, Norway, Sweden, Portugal,  Luxembourg), 
• in the Middle East ​ (Jordan, Kuwait Civil ID, Qatar, Oman,  Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia),
• in Africa (Algeria, Cameroon,  South Africa),
• in Asia and Latin America, with Mongolia, Uruguay​ and Jamaica to name a few.

The military CAC​ card used by the United States Department of Defense ​personnel ​​is an exciting example of a large deployment of an identification card with a robust online authentication​​ mechanism.

National ID card and electronic ID: Benefits and trends

​The idea of a National ID card valid for physical and digital domains has become a reality for millions.​​ 

In some countries, citizens of public and private organizations are starting to reap benefits. 

We investigated in our recent report what are these so-called digital dividends.

​The past ten years have been filled with incremental tech developments serving as a foundation for a much smarter citizen ID future. 

Want to know more about trends?

Our web dossier on ID facts and trends​​detail five major national ID trends you may want to discover. 

Understand why biometrics is intimately linked with identity. See how countries are implementing biometric authentication and creating a state-of-the-art ID program.

​​​​​Residence Permits

Thales Gemalto eResidence Permit offers the most complete, versatile electronic European Residence Permit (eERP) solution tailored to customer needs.

The eResidence Permit enables governments to realize significant cost savings and reduce fraud and illegal immigration.

Thales has supplied its Residence Permit solutions to numerous countries, including the first generation of chipless products and now the second generation of smart card-based solutions.

Multi-application national ID cards​

Thales Gemalto MultiApp ID is a Global Platform smart card solution for eID, eDriving License, eRegistration Certificate, and eHealthcare.

It is a Public Key Java Card designed to meet the most advanced security requirements of long-term multi-application programs such as the ones launched by governments and health insurance initiatives. 

MultiApp ID supports RSA up to 4096 bits and Elliptic Curves up to 521 bits in particular and has been ​Common Criteria EAL 5+ certified.​​

Thales Gemalto MultiApp is the leading secure, open, and standard-compliant operating platform for electronic document issuance. It supports many identity applications that deploy a raft of citizen-centric government programs. ​

An innovative turnkey solution to federate eID programs

With contributions to more than 100 eGovernment programs to date, Thales has played a front-line role in making the new paradigm of secure multi-service electronic ID cards a reality. 

Drawing on its extensive experience, the company has devised an innovative turnkey solution to federate eID programs across multiple government agencies, bringing together the best of smart card technology, software solutions, and multi-service apps.

Mobilize our financial and PPP experts.

Secure and robust identity management systems are becoming increasingly technically complex and involve significant investments.

The good news?

Many convincing business models can be built around Identity Management projects, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is an effective instrument for the delivery of services.

Thales' experience in Public-Private Partnership financing models - such as BOO or BOT - also translates into a significant reduction in your Total Cost of Ownership.

And it works.​