European Citizens' Initiative Launched to Offer Alternative Passport Design

The European Citizens' Initiative has launched a campaign to facilitate the introduction of an additional option for the cover design of passports offered to European Union citizens when applying for a new passport.

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is a formal EU mechanism that allows citizens to ask the European Commission to consider proposing new EU legislation on an issue within the EU’s powers.

The initiative said the optional cover should feature a blue background with the circle of gold stars - the EU symbol - and prominently display the words “EUROPEAN UNION”, alongside any required references in the respective national language. 

It emphasised that this design would coexist with the current burgundy passport cover, which continues to be available when renewing or obtaining a new passport.

The initiative states: “Passports issued by EU Member States are primarily used for travel outside the European Union in countries where an identity card is not sufficient. Offering such an option would give citizens who wish so the opportunity to show their European identity when travelling outside the European Union.”

According to the organisers, 16,710 statements of support have been recorded so far (as of Tuesday 22 September 2026), representing 1.67% of the one-million target.

The organisers’ target is to record at least 1,000,000 valid statements of support, with national minimum thresholds reached in at least seven EU Member States.

The collection deadline for statements of support for “EU Stars On My Passport (STAR-PASS)” is 8 May 2027.

Statements of support can be registered at https://eci.ec.europa.eu/060/public/#/screen/home.