The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, announced today the launch of eighty new mobile units called Integrated Documentation Vehicles (VIDOC). The presentation of this innovative project took place in Brihuega, Guadalajara, and was attended by various local and national authorities. These mobile units are designed to facilitate the issuance of documents such as the ID card and passport in rural areas, reducing the processing time to just ten minutes.
This innovative approach by the National Police aims to address the difficulties faced by populations in remote areas from accessing documentation services, as obtaining an ID card or passport in rural areas previously required multiple procedures and trips. The new VIDOC units significantly simplify this process, allowing documents to be issued in a single procedure.
In addition to the ID card, and for the first time, these vehicles will also be able to issue passports, making this document more accessible in regions with limited police infrastructure. Currently, there are seven operational VIDOC units with all the functions of a physical office, and it is expected that another 73 units will be incorporated by the beginning of 2025. They will operate from Monday to Friday, and the movement of these vehicles will be authorized by the Police headquarters, while municipalities will coordinate appointments with citizens. The use of these mobile units has resulted in 12,848 trips and the issuance of 240,000 ID cards just in 2023.
At the same event, Grande-Marlaska presented the first Document Update Point (PAD) in Brihuega. This point will allow citizens to update their electronic ID cards more conveniently, outside of National Police offices. The installation of 300 PADs in various provinces is planned in the coming months, thus expanding the digital assistance network.
The VIDOC project is part of the 2021-2025 Public Administration Digitalization Plan and funds the Digital Identity Plan (PID), which aims to increase the efficiency and accessibility of the Administration. The vehicles are funded by the European Next Generation EU Funds and have been developed in collaboration with the National Mint and Stamp Factory.
This advancement positions the Spanish passport as one of the most powerful and cost-effective globally, with the ability to travel to 194 countries without the need for a visa and maintaining relatively low costs compared to other countries. In addition, the ID card incorporates digital certificates, highlighting the commitment of the National Police to innovation and citizen service. It is noteworthy that the Documentation units serve more than eleven million people annually, underscoring the importance of these improvements for the general public.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
