Around 230,000 identity cards that expired last year or will expire this year are not being renewed since the country is expected to adopt a new ID card technology soon.

A spokesman from the Prime Minister's Office told The Times that Malta has to abide by European Union directives regarding enhanced security features, including chip technology and biometrics.

In a bid not to duplicate work and costs the government issued a legal notice last week stating that identity cards issued between January 15, 2002 and January 1 last year and which expire before the end of the year will remain valid until the end of this year.

Around 80,000 ID cards expired last year with a further 150,000 expected to expire this year.

"In view of the various decisions that had to be taken, technical constraints, the heavy financial outlay for new equipment and infrastructure, and to avoid duplication of work and waste of funds, the government decided to postpone the renewal of ID Cards as scheduled until the proper set-up starts functioning," the OPM official said.

However, an expired ID card cannot be used as a travel document and those who plan to travel using an ID card should still renew the document, the spokesman said. This also applies to those who change their address, status, age band or any other particulars.

A call for tenders for the new ID card system was issued last month.