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e-Identity

Estonia’s e-ID: The Cornerstone of a Seamless Digital Society

Every Estonian, no matter where they live, has a state-issued digital identity—known as e-ID. In use for over 20 years, the e-ID is a cornerstone of Estonia’s e-state, enabling secure digital transactions in both the public and private sectors.

People use their e-ID daily to:

  • Vote online

  • Sign documents digitally

  • Access healthcare records

  • Manage banking and business

  • Shop securely and more

Multiple formats, one secure identity

The e-ID ecosystem includes:

  • ID-card (chip-based)

  • Mobile-ID (SIM-based for smartphones)

  • Smart-ID (app-based authentication)

Each option offers strong security and legal validity for digital interactions.

Digital inclusion beyond borders: e-Residency

Since 2014, Estonia offers e-Residency—a unique program allowing non-residents to access Estonian e-services and build borderless businesses. Over 100,000 e-residents now benefit from Estonia’s trusted digital ecosystem.

Saving time, enhancing trust

Thanks to digital signatures, each Estonian saves an average of five working days annually. These tools make public administration faster and reduce bureaucracy—without sacrificing trust or transparency.

Shaping Europe’s digital future

Estonia has actively shaped the EU eIDAS regulation, ensuring cross-border recognition of electronic identities and signatures. As part of eIDAS 2, Estonia champions identity wallets—secure mobile apps for identification, signing, and document storage.

Pushing boundaries: Identity wallet & split-key technology

Estonia is exploring next-generation identity wallets and split-key technology, offering a more secure alternative to traditional mobile systems—especially where European certification is required.

These innovations make digital identity:

  • More mobile

  • More secure

  • Easier to use—without compromising on privacy

Driving European interoperability

Through initiatives like POTENTIAL, Estonia is helping develop interoperable digital driver’s licenses and other identity solutions across the EU, fostering both legal alignment and technical progress.

Conclusion

Estonia’s e-ID system isn’t just a technical solution—it’s a visionary model for digital governance. By fully integrating e-identity into daily life, Estonia has created a secure, efficient, and inclusive digital society that sets the global standard.

Mobile ID

Mobile-ID allows people to use a mobile phone as a form of secure digital ID. Like the ID-card, it can be used to access secure e-services and digitally sign documents, but has the added advantage of not requiring a card reader.

The system is based on a special mobile SIM card, which the customer must request from a mobile phone operator. Private keys are stored on the mobile SIM card along with a small application supporting the authentication and signature functions.

19%

Usage of Mobile ID

Here’s how it is used to log into a secure site, for instance a bank account:

  • The user clicks the “Log in with Mobile-ID” option on a supported website
  • The phone beeps and displays a screen indicating that a connection is being made
  • The user is prompted to enter a pin code into the phone
  • The screen on the phone disappears and the user gains access to the secure website
  • As smartphones have been widely adopted, Mobile-ID will become increasingly handy, allowing users to vote, for instance, via a phone’s web browser.

Developers of mobile-ID:

Other solutions & services

e-Health

Learn more

e-Education and research

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e-Identity

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Cyber security

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X-road – Interoperability services

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e-Governance

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Smart city and mobility

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Ease of doing business

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Contact

Visit us physically or virtually

We host impactful events both in our centre and online for government institutions, companies, and media. You’ll get an overview of e-Estonia’s best practices and build links to leading IT-service providers and state experts to support your digitalisation plans.

Book here

Questions? Have a chat with us.

E-mail:
Media:
Call us: +372 6273157 (Monday to Friday, 9:00-16:30 Estonian time)
Regarding e-Residency, visit their official webpage.

Find us

The Briefing Centre is conveniently located just a 2-minute drive from the airport and around 10- to 15-minute drive from the city centre.

You will find us on the ground floor of Valukoja 8, at the central entrance behind the statue of Mr Ernst Julius Öpik. We will meet the delegation at the building’s reception. Kindly note that a booking is required to visit us.

Valukoja 8
11415 Tallinn, Estonia

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