Glabbeek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Glabbeek, eID cards for those 75+ last 30 years, but digital certificates must be renewed every 10 years to ensure security. Mayor Peter Reekmans stresses user responsibility for renewal.
As VRT News reported, the government provides eID cards that last for 30 years for people aged 75 and over, so they don’t need to renew their cards as frequently in Glabbeek, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium. Despite this, the digital certificates within these cards still need to be renewed every 10 years.
This regular update is necessary to maintain the security and functionality of the digital login and signing features. As Mayor Peter Reekmans explains, these periodic renewals are essential to protect users from potential security risks and ensure the digital identity system remains secure, even though the physical card remains valid for a longer period.
When do eID certificates expire, and how to renew them?
People won’t be automatically notified to renew the digital certificates on their electronic ID card (eID). It’s their responsibility to check when they expire. If certificates are nearing their expiration date or have already expired, they’ll need to renew them to continue using your eID’s digital features.
Officials mentioned that the renewal process is simple and free. People can go to the civil affairs department at their local town hall to renew their certificates. This ensures that their certificates remain valid and secure, allowing them to continue accessing online government services and digitally signing documents.
For those under 18, getting an ID card means they’ll only have one certificate at first, the 1 to prove who they are online. This lets them safely log in to government sites and other places that need to check their identity. But they can’t digitally sign documents with it yet. That feature unlocks when people turn 18.
Then, they can go to the civil affairs office to get the 2nd certificate activated on their eID. This setup ensures that only adults can sign documents digitally, keeping things secure and legal. It’s a 2-part system that helps young people use online services safely while still following the rules.
An electronic ID card, or eID, is like a digital key with special codes inside. These codes help people safely do things online. They use one code to log in to government websites, and another to sign documents. These codes keep their information safe and make sure documents are real. The government also checks these codes to confirm they are valid and trustworthy.
