We recommend that you replace the automatically issued PIN and PUK codes of your ID-card immediately: you will better remember the codes you choose yourself. It is also a good idea to occasionally update PIN and PUK codes in case any bystanders have seen you enter your PIN codes. If you have not changed your PUK code yourself, you will find it in the envelope that came with the card.
There are two ways to change your PIN codes:
- if you remember the valid PIN codes, you can use them to choose new ones in the DigiDoc4 application.
- if you have forgotten the existing PIN codes, you'll need a PUK code to establish new PIN codes.
- If you have forgotten the PIN codes as well as the PUK code, you should apply for a new code envelope.
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Changing PIN codes is very simple and you can do it with the PUK code even if you have forgotten the valid PIN codes. If you remember or have access to your PIN codes, you don’t even need the PUK code.
Changing the codes is very simple: insert your ID-card into the card reader and open DigiDoc4 in your computer (Instructions for finding the "DigiDoc4" application on your computer can be found here). Wait until DigiDoc4 has read your ID-card data and choose ‘My eID’ from the menu.
Then choose which code you would like to change.
To change PIN1 code, click on the button ‘CHANGE PIN1’.
You must enter the valid PIN1 code and then the new PIN1 code twice.
The PIN1 that was automatically issued to you contains 4 digits. The new PIN1 code can contain 4-12 digits as long as:
- it contains only numbers;
- the new PIN1 does not match your previous PIN1;
- you don't choose the same number for your PIN1, PIN2 and PUK code;
- you avoid using your birthdate and other easily derived codes such as 0000, 1111, 1234 etc.
To change the PIN2 code, click on the button ‘CHANGE PIN2’.
You must enter the valid PIN2 code and then the new PIN2 code twice.
The PIN2 that was automatically issued to you contains 5 digits. The new PIN2 code can contain 5-12 digits as long as:
- it contains only numbers;
- the new PIN2 does not match your previous PIN2;
- you don’t choose the same number for your PIN1, PIN2 and PUK code;
- you avoid using your birthdate and other easily derived codes such as 00000, 12345, etc.
To change the PUK code, click on the button ‘CHANGE PUK’.
You must enter the valid PUK code and then the new PUK code twice.
The PUK code that was automatically issued to you contains 8 digits. The new PUK code can contain 8-12 digits, as long as:
- it contains only numbers;
- the new PUK does not match your previous PUK;
- you don’t choose the same number for your PIN1, PIN2 and PUK code;
- you avoid using your birthdate and other easily derived codes such as 00000000, 12345678, etc.
A message will be displayed on your screen if the code was successfully changed.
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Step 1: insert the ID-card into the card reader and open the DigiDoc4 application
The DigiDoc4 icon should be visible in the computer programs list. For users of the following operating systems, the DigiDoc4 application can be found as follows:
- A Windows user can also find it by following the path "Start → All Programs → ID card → DigiDoc4".
- A MacOS user can also find it by following the path "Finder → Go → Applications → DigiDoc4".
- An Ubuntu user can also find it by following the path "Applications menu (by clicking the nine dots at the bottom left of the screen) → DigiDoc4".
Step 2: open ‘My eID’ from the DigiDoc4 menu
Check that DigiDoc4 shows your personal data and open the option ‘My eID’ from the left menu. Here you can see which certificate’s PIN code is blocked.
Step 3: unblock
In order to unblock PIN codes, press the button ‘UNBLOCK’. A window with a PIN code unblocking option will be displayed on your screen, where you must enter a valid PUK code and then the chosen PIN code twice.
Unblocking PIN1 (person identification) and PIN2 (signing) works the same way, but you should remember that:
- PIN1 code must contain 4-12 digits;
- PIN2 code must contain 5-12 digits.
The new code must be different from the previous PIN code, include only numbers and not match (neither partially or fully) your personal identification code.
Fill in the columns and press the button ‘UNBLOCK’. If they PUK code was entered correctly and the new PIN codes complied with the requirements and matched each other, you can see the notice on your screen that the PIN code is unblocked.
What if the PUK code is locked?
If you entered the PUK code incorrectly three times in a row, this will be locked too. In order to continue using your ID-card electronically, you must apply a code envelope with new PIN and PUK codes from the Police and Border Guard Board or at the foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia.
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Step 1: open the RIA DigiDoc application on your phone
Insert your ID-card in to the card reader and select ‘My eID’. Wait until your data has been retrieved by the RIA DigiDoc app and open ‘PIN/PUK CODES AND CERTIFICATES’.
Step 2: select the PIN you are about to change
Select the PIN you want to change. If PIN1 and PIN2 codes are locked or you have forgotten them, you must change both of them separately.
Step 3: select the PIN code changing or unblocking option
If you remember your current PIN, click on ‘Change PIN1’ or ‘Change PIN2’. If your PIN codes have been blocked and you wish to create new ones using your PUK code, click on the ‘Forgot PIN1?’ or ‘Forgot PIN2?’ link below the button.
Step 4: create new PINs
If you remember your current PINs, you can change them using the ‘Change PIN’ button’; you need to enter both the current PIN and the new PIN. Once you have entered the new PIN, click on the ‘Change’ button.
If you do not remember your current PINs or if they are blocked, you need to enter your valid PUK code and then your new PIN. Once you have entered the new PIN, click on the ‘Unblock’ button.
Follow the instructions on the phone screen and everything will go smoothly.
NB! Upon selecting PIN codes, remember that:
- They must not include your personal identification code or parts thereof, they must only consist of numbers and differ from previous PINs.
- PIN1 must consist of 4-12 numbers.
- PIN2 must consist of 5-12 numbers.
- Choose PINs that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess.
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In order to obtain a new code envelope, you need to go to a Police and Border Guard Board service point a foreign representation of the Republic Estonia . Make sure to bring an identity document.
Whenever possible, please choose a mobile ticket before visiting the service.
The applicable fees for the re-issuance of the code envelope can be found on the Police and Border Guard Board website. We definitely recommend changing automatically issued PIN codes immediately to ones that are easy for you to remember without having to write them down. You can change your PIN codes yourself in the DigiDoc4 application: this is simple and only takes a few minutes. Make sure to take good care of your PIN and PUK codes and keep them safe!
If your ID-card PINs are lost while abroad and returning to Estonia is not possible, you can obtain a new code envelope from a foreign representation of the Republic Estonia.
What if the PUK code is locked?
If you entered the PUK code incorrectly three times in a row, this will be locked too. In order to continue using your ID-card electronically, you must apply a code envelope with new PIN and PUK codes from the Police and Border Guard Board or at the foreign representation of the Republic of Estonia.
