The civil registry and migration department said on Thursday that it has, since the start of the week started issuing residence permits for EU citizens and their families in a new format so as to satisfy EU regulations concerning greater security of ID documents.

The new format does not affect procedures, applications or fees, it added.

Certificates of registration and certificates of permanent residence of an EU citizen and members of their family, also EU citizens, remain valid and need not be replaced.

Residence documents and permanent residence documents of family members of an EU citizen who are not EU citizens and which expire after August 3, 2023, are abolished on that date and holders must replace them at the appropriate time by submitting the relevant application, it concluded.