The cards, containing a chip bearing an electronic signature and carrying basic personal information, will make Spain's personal identification system "more modern, more useful and safer" and will allow the bearer to access many administrative services on-line.
After the first cards are introduced from December, more will progressively be brought out over a two-year period.
Minister of Science and Technology Juan Costa said the move "will open up new service opportunities," forseeing that in future the card could even be used as a bank cashpoint card.
The scheme will cost 150 million euros (190 million dollars).
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