Period of validity
Article 4
1. Identity cards shall have a minimum period of validity of five years and a maximum period of validity of 10 years. 2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, Member States may provide for a period of validity of: (a) less than five years, for identity cards issued to minors; (b) in exceptional cases, less than five years, for identity cards issued to persons in special and limited circumstances and where their period of validity is limited in compliance with Union and national law; (c) more than 10 years, for identity cards issued to persons aged 70 and above. 3. Member States shall issue an identity card having a validity of 12 months or less where it is temporarily physically impossible to take fingerprints of any of the fingers of the applicant.