The European Union has taken steps towards the creation of an EU-wide health identity card. By 2008 there will be a new card with a microchip that can store a range of biometric and personal data. Approved by Union ministers in Luxembourg the plastic disk will slide into the credit-card pouch of a wallet or purse.

The European Health Insurance Card is intended to replace forms currently used by travellers who fall ill in other EU countries. Eventually it will replace a plethora of other complex forms needed for longer stays.

During the first phase - starting at 1 June 2004 - each country will be able to choose whether to include photographs, fingerprints and biometric data, such as eye measurements, on the 'national' side of the card. The ultimate objective is to have an electronic chip on the card as the technology improves.

European health insurance card
http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2003/feb/hicard_en.ht...