Starting July 7th, users of the Eesti app have been able to prove their identity directly via their smartphone by providing the service provider with digital ID card or passport details in the app. The use of the solution is voluntary for both service providers and users, and will be rolled out gradually in cooperation with service providers.
Among the first private sector service providers to start using the new feature are Confido Medical Centre and Fertilitas. Among the public sector, the first to use the identification function are the Pärnumaa branch of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and Tallinn Libraries.
Pursuant to an amendment to the Identity Documents Act, service providers can verify the identity of their customers via the Eesti app, which is equivalent to verifying the identity of a customer on the basis of e.g. passport or ID card data.
The user must first download the app from the App Store or Google Play store and sign in using Mobile-ID, Smart-ID or EU eID to use the proof of identity function of the Eesti app. Then, in the document view, the user can open the desired document and select the ‘Display identification code’ button. A unique QR code will be displayed on your smart device, valid for three minutes, which can only be read via the Eesti app.
The service provider must also be logged in to the Eesti app and where they can open the ‘Scan document’ button in the document view. After scanning the QR code of the user, the most important data of the person verified will be displayed on the service provider’s device for up to 30 seconds.
In addition to the QR code, other solutions are available for verifying the document details of the user, depending on the situation. All the possible verification methods and their instructions are available on the website of RIA: there are several options for checking the document details displayed in the Eesti app.
Anyone who has already downloaded the Eesti app should update the app after the 7th of July to ensure that the proof of identity function is correctly displayed and usable.
It should be noted that the document data in the Eesti app can only be used on the territory of Estonia and does not replace a physical document at international level. It is not possible to apply for new documents via the app. Although the app makes it more convenient for people to prove their identity, they will still need to carry a physical document until the new solution becomes more widely used.
Launched on 9th of December 2024, the Eesti app is a national mobile application that provides users with convenient and easy access to various government services via their smart device, regardless of location or time. The app allows you to view your identity documents and securely use over 50 services. To date, 52,000 people have downloaded the app. The Eesti app is available in both Estonian and English and requires an internet connection to work.