ID-card

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Certificates

Viewing and saving ID-card certificates

Guidelines on how to view and save your ID-card certificates.

Certificates and their security

The certificates tied to your digital means of identification (such as the ID-card, digital ID, Mobile-ID, Smart-ID) represent you in the electronic world. Therefore, it’s important that your certificates are always protected.

Certificate Policy for identity card, digital identity card, residence permit card and diplomatic identity card

Certification policy for ID-1 documents.

Suspending ID-card certificates

You should suspend the certificates of your ID-card as soon as you notice that you have lost it or it has been stolen: this way, your electronic identity remains protected. If you’re certain that your ID-card has been stolen and cannot be retrieved, you should cancel it. Kui oled kindel, et ID-kaart on tõepoolest varastatud ja välja ei tule, tuleks kaart tühistada.

Compete information about the terms of use of certificates

The terms of use of certificates describe the main principles followed when issuing and using the certificates of ID-cards, residence permit cards, digital IDs and diplomatic identity cards.

Validity of the certificates of the ID-card

You can see whether your ID-card certificates are valid when you open DigiDoc4. An ID-card cannot be used for electronic acts without valid certificates, e.g. you cannot log in to your bank or sign documents digitally!

Certificates: What are they and why do I need them?

Certificate means the electronic evidence that ties a person (e.g. with their ID-card) to the right to perform legally binding acts (making bank transfers, signing contracts, etc.).

PIN codes

My PIN is blocked (locked)
My PIN is blocked (locked)

If your PIN code is blocked, you can conveniently unlock it again with the DigiDoc4 application. For this you need your PUK code.

PIN and PUK codes: Security recommendations

A code envelope with the PIN and PUK codes was given to you with your digital identity card. You cannot use the ID-card (or other digital identity cards) without them. Your certificates, i.e. your electronic…

Changing the PIN codes and PUK code of the ID-card

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…

PIN codes of the ID-card: applying for a new codes envelope
PIN codes of the ID-card: applying for a new codes envelope

If you have forgotten your ID-card, digital-ID or other digital document PIN and PUK codes, you can order a new code envelope from the Police and Border Guard Board.

Code envelope with PIN and PUK codes

You are given a sealed code envelope containing the PIN and PUK codes of the digital identity document (e.g. an ID-card), which allow you to use the card electronically.

Introduction

How to check that your ID-card reader is working?

In order to check if your card reader is operational, insert your ID-card into the card reader, connect it to the computer and open up the DigiDoc4.

You wish to start using your ID-card electronically
You wish to start using your ID-card electronically

On this page you will find step-by-step instructions for downloading and setting up the ID software (including the DigiDoc4) and web browser software, as well as many other helpful tips.

ID-card and its uses

ID-cards are identity documents that are mandatory for Estonian citizens and citizens of the European Union who are permanently residing in Estonia.

MyID portal

The MyID portal provides information on Mobile-ID, ID-card, Digi-ID, and Smart-ID accounts, certificates, and transactions issued by SK ID Solutions.

ID-card as an identity document

ID-cards are identity documents that are mandatory for Estonian citizens and citizens of the European Union who are permanently residing in Estonia.

Where can you travel with an ID-card?

Estonian citizens can use their ID-card to enter other European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states without a passport.

ID-card as a client card

There are so many client cards and loyalty programmes this day and age that fitting all the cards in your wallet can be difficult. Using the ID-card as the client card is therefore a convenient…

Update

You wish for a new ID-card
You wish for a new ID-card

The ID-card is a mandatory identity document for all Estonian citizens. You can request one from the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. ​If you have lost your PIN code and PUK code, you can request a new code envelope without replacing the ID-card.

You wish to obtain a digital ID card
You wish to obtain a digital ID card

A digital identity card, i.e. digital ID, is a digital document that can be used to identify yourself and sign digitally in an electronic environment, just like an ID-card.

The remote validity extension service for digital ID cards valid for three years is no longer available

The remote validity extension service offered for digital IDs (including e-Resident’s digital IDs) valid for three years is no longer available as of 30 April 2019 due to the previous producer of documents terminating its…

Security

How can the reliability of ID-cards and other digital documents be guaranteed?

Everything becomes worn out when heavily used. In order to guarantee that your ID-card or other digital document, such as digital ID, lasts for as long as possible, keep it safely in the document compartment of your wallet

What are the risks when your ID-card is stolen?

The theft of an ID-card or another digital document means that the owner of the card is at risk of falling victim to identity theft: their document can be used to perform transactions, sign contracts, etc. by another person.