The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has decided to maintain the mandatory status of identity cards (ID-cards) until the EU digital wallet becomes operational. Despite calls for voluntary ID-cards, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM) opposes the move.
Under existing law, all Estonian citizens must possess an ID-card, with the option to apply for a passport. However, a recent draft law proposed more flexible rules, allowing individuals to choose between an ID-card, a passport, or both.
Elen Kraavik, an adviser at the ministry, highlighted the growing adoption of mobile solutions over physical ID-cards. With e-services increasingly accessible via mobile devices, the need for traditional ID-cards has diminished. Kraavik emphasized that computers often lack ID-card readers, making the physical card cumbersome.
While ID-cards require replacement every five years, passports remain valid for up to a decade. The Ministry of the Interior contends that if citizens no longer require an ID-card, they should not be compelled to obtain one.
Madis Tapupere, head of digital state technologies, acknowledged the historical significance of mandatory ID-cards in Estonia’s digital transformation. However, he cautioned that voluntary mobile-ID solutions could impact critical mass adoption.
Despite the debate, approximately 840,000 Estonians hold citizen’s passports, and 1.1 million possess ID-cards.
