Hungary begins using biometric passports

Hungary begins using biometric passports

Hungary on Tuesday introduced biometric passports with a chip built in storing the holder's biometric data and a digital image, AP reports.

Hungarians may still use their current blue passports until they expire, but only the new type, colored burgundy, will be issued in the future, head of the Interior Ministry's central office Gyorgy Urban said.

"This new document conforms with European Union security requirements," Urban said.

The document inside contains all important information in all EU languages.

Urban said the passports must also include the bearer's fingerprints until mid-2009.

EU member states have until the end of August to introduce passports with biometric chips.