Tintin, Lucky Luke, Blake and Mortimer… These comic book icons will populate the pages of the new version of the Belgian passport which will be issued from next week by the country’s authorities. An official recognition from Belgium for its famous paper heroes.
From February 7, 2022, the new Belgian passports will be adorned with famous characters from the 9th art such as Tintin, Largo Winch, Boule and Bill, the Smurfs, Natacha, Spirou and Fantasio or even the Marsupilami. These will replace the historical monuments and other official buildings of the Flat Country which were previously reproduced on the inside double pages of the passport.
The official announcement was made on January 27 by Sophie Wilmès, the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and shared on social networks.
We are launching a new passport with a unique design featuring comic book heroines and heroes.
The new Belgian passport is even more secure thanks to new security and personalization techniques.
For more: https://t.co/SMfc34UB7u pic.twitter.com/3A4H6FKnS9
— Belgium MFA (@BelgiumMFA) January 27, 2022
Having not changed since 2008, the passport of the Kingdom of Belgium was therefore likely to be falsified more easily, especially since this identity document officially issued by the Belgian authorities has always figured prominently in the classification of among the most powerful in the world. “Belgium is in 5th place out of 90 of the most powerful passports in the world”, declared Sophie Wilmès, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. That is to say that it allows access to a very large number of countries, most of which are visa-free. This characteristic has made it very popular with fraudsters and manufacturers of false papers. In 2021, the Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated that 500 files concerning fraud had been opened.
A more secure passport
The Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined that this new design was not just a simple homage to comics. “The advantage of using the comic book theme is twofold. Not only do we highlight comics as a top art at Belgian level. But the fact of having these rather complex drawings makes it possible to increase the level of security. Because in these drawings are included security techniques, ”she explained.
This new version of the passport has seen the number of security features doubled from 24 to 48. Personal identification information now covers two pages, instead of just one in the previous version. A third photo has been added with mixed laser and perforation printing. The electronic chip is on the main page which is made of polycarbonate.
If its design and protection system change, however, its price and validity remain unchanged. The Belgian passport will be charged 65 euros for an adult for a period of 7 years, and 35 euros for a minor with a validity of 5 years. In France, the validity of the passport is 10 years and its cost is 86 euros for an adult, 42 euros for minors from 15 to 17 years old and 17 euros for minors under 15 years old.
Note that on the occasion of the launch of this new passport, an exhibition on the history of the Belgian passport is being held until March 6, 2022, at the Comic Strip Museum in Brussels.