Estonian identity card | |
---|---|
Type | Mandatory identity document |
Issued by | Estonia |
First issued | 23 August 2021 |
Purpose | Identification, travel |
Valid in | European Union United Kingdom (EU Settlement Scheme) [1] Rest of Europe (except Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine) Georgia Montserrat (max. 14 days) Overseas France Tunisia (organized tours) |
Eligibility | Estonian citizenship or EEA/Switzerland if residing |
Expiration | 5 years |
The Estonian identity card (Estonian: ID-kaart) is a mandatory identity document for citizens of Estonia. In addition to regular identification of a person, an ID-card can also be used for establishing one's identity in electronic environment and for giving one's digital signature. Within Europe (except Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and United Kingdom)[2][3] as well as French overseas territories, Georgia and Tunisia (on organized tours only)[4] the Estonian ID-card can be used by the citizens of Estonia as a travel document.
The mandatory identity document of a citizen of the European Union is also an identity card, also known as an ID card. The Estonian ID-card can be used to cross the Estonian border, however Estonian authorities cannot guarantee that other EU member states will accept the card as a travel document.[5]
In addition to regular identification of a person, an ID-card can also be used for establishing one's identity in electronic environment and for giving one's digital signature. With the Estonian ID-card the citizen will receive a personal @eesti.ee e-mail address, which is used by the state to send important information. In order to use the @eesti.ee e-mail address, the citizen has to forward it to his or her personal e-mail address, using the State Portal eesti.ee.
The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) on 25 September 2018 introduced the newest version of Estonia's ID-card, featuring additional security elements and a contactless interface. The new cards also utilizes Estonia's own font and elements of its brand. One new detail is the inclusion of a QR code, which makes it easier to check the validity of the ID-card. The new design also features a color photo of its bearer, which doubles as a security element and is made up of lines; looking at the card at an angle, another photo appears. The new chip has a higher capacity, allowing the addition of new applications to it.[6]