The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium also published a video clip presenting the leafing through the new passport.
The front part of the passport containing the personal data features scenes from the legendary Tintin episode “Destination Moon”, including the iconic rocket, whose copy also serves as mascot at the Brussels Airport.
Internal pages of the passport present stylized scenes from various Belgian comics, and alongside Tintin and Captain Haddock one can recognize the flight attendant Natacha, Marsupillami, Billy & Buddy (Boule et Bill), Blake and Mortimer, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke and the Daltons, Spirou and Fantasio…
The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the new passport was made through exceptional collaboration with the publishing houses and right holders, who have agreed to use their famous cartoon figures to illustrate the document.
On the occasion of the launch of the new passport, a temporary exhibition on the history of the Belgian passport will be accessible at the Comics Art Museum from 28 January to 6 March 2022.
🔴 We lanceren een nieuw paspoort met als designthema onze stripfiguren.
Het nieuwe Belgische paspoort is nog veiliger dankzij nieuwe technieken inzake beveiliging en verpersoonlijking.
➡️ Meer info: https://t.co/A3RF0xVOcw pic.twitter.com/rX3R0hF6ZP
— 🇧🇪 Belgium MFA (@BelgiumMFA) January 27, 2022
In her official statement, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès stressed:
“The Belgian passport is one of the best in the world, it is a source of pride for us, but also an object of desire for counterfeiters. This is why we are constantly working to improve its security. The introduction of this new passport is also an opportunity for us to highlight the 9th art, the comic strip, which is a central element of our culture and our influence abroad. I would like to thank the publishers, authors and rights holders who have agreed to participate in the project. Finally, a very important point for me: the quality and security of the passport have been reinforced, but the price charged by the Foreign Affairs will not increase. In a context of general price increases, this is a strong gesture that will be cost-beneficial for our citizens.”
The price charged by Foreign Affairs ministry is 65 euros for adults and 35 euros for minors, plus possible municipal taxes. The validity period is 7 years for adults and 5 years for minors. The passport can be obtained in 5 working days via standard procedure, or in a day or less through the urgent or super urgent procedures procedures, at extra cost.
