The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board is participating in a procurement to create a mobile application that allows e-residents to share their biometrics for verification. Face and fingerprint biometrics can be shared securely through the app, which will be available from 2027, and streamline the process to apply for e-residency.
The solution should meet the technical requirements for components such as biometrics capture and document checking.
X Infotech, an issuer of electronic identity documents and payment cards, has won the procurement of the app, which must comply with the European Union eIDAS Regulation allowing the applicant to continue using their digital ID for authentication. The eIDAS regulation also validates an electronic signature in place of a physical signature.
SMIT said the procurement was a competitive and complex process to negotiate the top bidder and test the applications.
Kaija Kirch, Head of the Identity Services Department of SMIT, who developed the app, said the service to be procured was unique because “verification of the authenticity and validity of the document, taking a photo and giving fingerprints must work together in one service”.
The submission of biometric data via a mobile app will first be piloted on e-residency applicants, while applicants will no longer have to visit the Estonian Embassy.
