Personal identification documents and identity management

Objectively certain and secure identification and the management of physical and digital identity form the basis of a reliable process of issuing personal identification documents. Estonia has long-standing experience in this area and holds the leading position in the world in the context of the e-state.

The Ministry of the Interior is tasked with developing the policy of identity management and the policy of issuing the personal identification documents for Estonian citizens and foreigners and coordinating the activities of government authorities. Issuing personal identification documents is regulated by the Identity Documents Act.

The foundations of the policy of identity management and personal identification documents: 

  • the state determines a person’s identity 
  • one person has one identity
  • using the identity or a personal identification document of another person is prohibited
  • identity management is conducted by the state in a centralised manner
  • both physical and digital personal identification documents are integrally and uniquely linked to the identity of the user of the document
  • the certificates that allow the digital authentication of digital personal identification documents and the use of digital signatures are uniquely linked to the personal data of the user of the document
  • the data of physical and digital documents, including the certificates that allow digital identification and digital signing, can be publicly verified. The validity of physical documents can be checked in the information system of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Identity management

The identity management policy includes the points of reference for identifying persons and verifying their identity in the physical and electronic environment. The identity management policy focuses primarily on the following issues:

  • How is it possible to ensure objectively certain; that is, unerring and undoubtable, personal identification?

  • How is it possible to prevent the use of the identity of other persons?

  • How is it possible to prevent the generation and use of several identities by one person?

The identity management policy is related to the personal identification documents policy, which focuses primarily on the following issues:

  • Which documents does the state recognise as personal identification documents?

  • What type of personal identification documents are issued to which persons?

  • How is the life cycle of documents managed?

  • Which security requirements do personal identification documents meet?

Issuing personal identification documents is the responsibility of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Did you know?

  • Since 2002, Estonia has issued more than 3.2 million ID cards and residence permit cards and more than 494,000 digital ID cards, including digital ID cards in the form of mobile-ID and e-residents’ ID cards.
  • The digital functionalities of personal identification documents – personal identification in a digital environment and digital signing – have by today been used by approximately half a million people and more than 562 million digital signatures have been given and more than 727 million electronic personal identifications have been performed.
  • In order to save time, it is worth applying for a repeat ID card in the self-service environment and booking an appointment opens in a new tab at a service centre. You can monitor the waiting periods for applying and receiving documents on the respective webpage of the Police and Border Guard Board.

Last updated: 11.09.2023