The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) will start issuing new ID cards from the second half of November.
The updates concern the appearance of the card, the chip and its software. According to the National Information System Authority (RIA), the technical transition will take some time and therefore not all e-services related to the new ID card may be fully functional in the first days.
In mid-November, the PPA will change its current document production partner, which will mean that renewers and applicants will be able to obtain new-look ID cards, residence cards, digital resident ID cards and diplomatic ID cards.
According to Karoline Põdra, an expert at the PPA's Identity and Status Bureau, the ID card has a fresh design and updated security features developed in cooperation with the PPA and external experts. „We have based the design of the document on security elements inspired by Estonian nature, some of which are visible to the naked eye and others with various aids. If you look closely, you will find phrases and symbols that characterise Estonia,“ Põder said.
There is one important change to be aware of when you receive your new ID card. Whereas previously you could digitally sign the document immediately on receipt, the new ID card requires a one-off step to change the PIN2 code. Only after PIN2 has been changed will it be possible to use the ID card for digital signature.
Each person will be issued with a security code envelope containing a 5-digit PIN2 code at a PPA service or Selver store. This code can be changed in the ID software. For further instructions and more information on how to change the code, please visit the following website www.id.ee.
Silvia Lips, an expert at the RIA's Electronic Identity Department, explained that the new version of the ID software will be available to the public in early November. “In order to introduce the new ID cards, it is necessary that all organisations and companies offering e-services update their systems before the new cards are issued. If the software and interfaces are not upgraded in time, authentication, signing and customer card functionality may not work with the new ID cards in the first days,” said Lips.
All documents issued so far will be valid until the end of their period of validity and you will continue to apply for and receive new documents as before. In order to use your new ID card electronically, you will need to have the latest version of the ID software installed on your computer or smart device, which can be updated or downloaded from the following website www.id.ee.
The PPA signed a contract with new partners for the production of documents in spring 2024. As of mid-November this year, the documents will be produced by the Finnish company Thales DIS Finland Oy and the Belgian company Zetes SA. Thales will be responsible for document production and personalisation, while Zetes will provide certification and trust services. The contracts are expected to cost a total of €54 million over eight years.