Frankfurt consulate expands national ID service for Iraqis in Europe

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s consulate general in Frankfurt has added a second national ID issuance system to cut waiting times for Iraqis in Europe, the Foreign Ministry said.

The expansion was made on the instructions of Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and in coordination with the foreign and interior ministries after demand rose among Iraqis abroad, the ministry said, and should let the consulate process more applications and reduce appointment backlogs. The service covers Iraqis across EU countries, not only residents of Germany.

The card has become Iraq’s primary identity document, replacing older civil status and nationality papers. Iraq’s embassy in Ankara began requiring it as the sole identity document for electronic passports in January.