On Thursday, the European Parliament approved a proposal requiring ID cards in the European Union to be provided with two fingerprints.

The Netherlands is currently issuing identity cards without fingerprint scans. The European Council has to agree to the new rules.

With the measure, the European Union wants to combat identity fraud. The ID card must also become more practical and legally similar to the passport.

The plan led to criticism from the European Data Protection Supervisor in August. He argues that the processing of the biometric data on the ID card is disproportionately in violation of the right to privacy.

Under the new rules, when issuing ID cards, EU countries are required to take two fingerprints from residents aged 12 years and over. Countries can decide for themselves whether children between the ages of six and twelve should also give a double scan.

If the new rules come into force, existing Dutch ID cards will remain valid without fingerprints until the expiry date.