The new Belgian passport, issued from February 7, 2022, honors the 9th art. Tintin, the Smurfs, Boule et Bill, Blake and Mortimer, the marsupilami and other heroes of Belgian comics are featured on the 34 pages of this formal document. In addition to this remarkable design, different technologies mixing printing, finishing and personalization reinforce its security.
The comic strip is "a central element of our culture and our influence abroad" says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès in a statement. The Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs has collaborated with the publishing houses and rights holders, who have given their consent to the use of their famous comic characters to illustrate the new Belgian passport (Bonte Magazine, IMPS/LAFIG, Mediatoon, Moulinsart SA, Standaard Uitgeverij).
The drawings from the comics are enriched with colors and details under the ultraviolet light.
An original passport with enhanced protection by Zetes and Thales
"The Belgian passport is one of the best in the world, it is a source of pride for us, but it is also an object of desire for counterfeiters. That is why we are constantly working to improve its security also said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The secure document was developed with anti-fraud specialists from the Federal Police and manufactured by the consortium of companies Zetes and Thales. The Belgian company Zetes offers personalization services and the French company Thales is specialized in electronic passports.
"Laser etched images, information drawn in the form of laser perforations, or embedded data readable only under ultraviolet light are the main techniques used." indicate Zetes and Thales.
The new passport also contains a 100% polycarbonate data page.
in addition to these features, there is a digital protection inside the chip integrated in the data page. And "for the first time in the world" according to Thales, the passport number is also laser-etched on the hinge (which connects the booklet to the data page) and the data page.
The contract with Zetes and Thales provides for an average production of 550,000 passports per year for seven years.
