European Union Laissez-Passer
Encyclopedia
A European Union Laissez-Passer is a travel document
issued to civil servants and members of the Institutions of the European Union
. It is proof of privileges and immunities the holders enjoy. The document is valid in all countries of the European Union
as well as in over 100 other countries. In 2006, the Commission of the European Communities issued or renewed 2,200 laissez-passers, and other agencies may issue the document as well..
, the European Atomic Energy Community
and the European Economic Community
and a single European Community Laissez-Passer was established in the beginning of the 1970s. As a result of the Maastricht treaty
, the name was changed to European Union Laissez-Passer. The initial Laissez-passer was available in all 4 languages of the communities (French, German, Dutch and Italian), but not in English. Subsequent extensions changed the number of languages to the present 11.
implementing machine-readable laissez-passer according to ICAO 9303 standard including a digitized photo of the bearer's face and fingerprints. The fields are reduced and will no longer contain info on address and physical appearance. In line with the practice of United Nations Laissez-Passer
, no nationality will be present at as well. For practical reasons, instead of placing all info on the relevant pages in all languages, now the proposed new Laissez-passer contains 3 lead languages (French, English, German), and translation in other languages is present further in the document.
Travel document
A travel document is an identity document issued by a government or international treaty organization to facilitate the movement of individuals or small groups of persons across international boundaries...
issued to civil servants and members of the Institutions of the European Union
Institutions of the European Union
The European Union is governed by seven institutions. Article 13 of Treaty on European Union lists them in the following order: the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European...
. It is proof of privileges and immunities the holders enjoy. The document is valid in all countries of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
as well as in over 100 other countries. In 2006, the Commission of the European Communities issued or renewed 2,200 laissez-passers, and other agencies may issue the document as well..
History
Provisions for issuing Laissez-passers were already present in the treaties establishing of the European Coal and Steel CommunityEuropean Coal and Steel Community
The European Coal and Steel Community was a six-nation international organisation serving to unify Western Europe during the Cold War and create the foundation for the modern-day developments of the European Union...
, the European Atomic Energy Community
European Atomic Energy Community
The European Atomic Energy Community is an international organisation which is legally distinct from the European Union , but has the same membership, and is governed by the EU's institutions....
and the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
and a single European Community Laissez-Passer was established in the beginning of the 1970s. As a result of the Maastricht treaty
Maastricht Treaty
The Maastricht Treaty was signed on 7 February 1992 by the members of the European Community in Maastricht, Netherlands. On 9–10 December 1991, the same city hosted the European Council which drafted the treaty...
, the name was changed to European Union Laissez-Passer. The initial Laissez-passer was available in all 4 languages of the communities (French, German, Dutch and Italian), but not in English. Subsequent extensions changed the number of languages to the present 11.
Appearance
The document contains 22 pages and is available in 11 languages (the official languages prior to extensions of the union after 1995). Since only textual changes have occurred since its implementation, the appearance and safety level is still at the level of the 1950s. The fields normally present in passports are present in the laissez-passers, including rather detailed info on physical appearance.- Name and forenames
- Date of birth
- in [designating: Place of birth]
- Nationality
- Position held
- Address
- Eyes
- Hair
- Height
- Special peculiarities
- Usual signature of bearer
Future
In 2005, a draft regulation was proposed by the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
implementing machine-readable laissez-passer according to ICAO 9303 standard including a digitized photo of the bearer's face and fingerprints. The fields are reduced and will no longer contain info on address and physical appearance. In line with the practice of United Nations Laissez-Passer
United Nations Laissez-Passer
A United Nations Laissez-Passer is a travel document issued by the United Nations under the provisions of Article VII of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in its offices in New York and Geneva, as well as by the International Labor Organization...
, no nationality will be present at as well. For practical reasons, instead of placing all info on the relevant pages in all languages, now the proposed new Laissez-passer contains 3 lead languages (French, English, German), and translation in other languages is present further in the document.
Laissez-passer note
Similar to most passports, the Laissez-Passer contains a text by the President of the Council of the European Union:See also
- United Nations Laissez-PasserUnited Nations Laissez-PasserA United Nations Laissez-Passer is a travel document issued by the United Nations under the provisions of Article VII of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in its offices in New York and Geneva, as well as by the International Labor Organization...
- Passports of the European Union
- PRADO - Public Register of Travel and Identity Documents OnlinePRADO - Public Register of Travel and Identity Documents OnlineThe Public Register of Travel and Identity Documents Online "PRADO" is a website with information on security features of identity documents of countries within the European Union and the EEA. It is hosted by the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union .- Content :PRADO contains...