Finland: Changes in the identity card (for foreigners).

Changes will be introduced to the identity cards issued by the police. From 31 May 2011, the identity card of a Finnish citizen will be bluish in colour, the identity card of a minor purple, and the identity card of a foreign citizen brown. Identity cards issued before this date will remain valid until they expire.

It is reported today that residents in Finland that are not citizens yet will get a brown ID card and the Finnish will get a blue one. It is expected as a result of the success of right-wing party True Finns. Concidering we are in the 21st century, I find this appauling and a flashback to Nazi German when they put a star of David on the jews.

Here's the link

reply to post by Skittle


Unless they have to have the brown card taped to their shoulder at all times I fail to see how it is like the Jews and the Third Reich.

For perspective, Canada too has a landed immigrant card for people that have not received their citizenship yet.
Here


I assume when they say 'foreign citizen', they mean a citizen of another country that is living in Finland (or from what I am reading, someone who wants to travel through Finland).

It seems this identity card is voluntary (meaning it is nothing like Nazi Germany):

Identity cards are issued by the police on application. On certain conditions, an identity card can also be issued to a foreign citizen or a minor (for more information, go to the website of the Finnish Police at www.police.fi).

From what I can tell, it's used for people who want to streamline their travelling or use certain services in Finland. Correct me if I am wrong.

reply to post by boncho


I was just looking at a slip from Moneygram and it says under ID "Alien ID". Guess it's the same over here in Sweden. It similar as the Finnish ID on the specimen photos.