The Department of Home Affairs announced that production of the Green ID book will end by 31 March 2027 and the document will cease to be accepted as valid identification after 31 March 2028.

Holders of the Green ID book – an estimated 14.7 million citizens and permanent residents – will have an additional 12 months, until March 2028, to obtain a Smart ID card.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber outlined the plan at the Home Affairs Quantum Leap event at Constitution Hill, emphasizing the shift toward digital public services accessible via smartphones and bank branches.

To facilitate the switch, the department is expanding biometric Smart ID replacement points from 515 bank branches – which have already served over 822,500 people – to more than 1,000 locations by the end of 2026.

The expanded network will also handle first‑time Smart ID and passport applications and will offer secure courier delivery, reducing the need for in‑person visits to Home Affairs offices.

In parallel, the department is developing a smartphone‑based Digital ID prototype and plans a nationwide documentation campaign in the 2028/29 fiscal year to register undocumented citizens by the end of 2029.