{"article":{"id":360000624498,"url":"https://e-residency.zendesk.com/api/v2/help_center/en-gb/articles/360000624498.json","html_url":"https://learn.e-resident.gov.ee/hc/en-gb/articles/360000624498-What-is-the-e-resident-digital-ID-card","author_id":1303684162,"comments_disabled":true,"draft":false,"promoted":false,"position":2,"vote_sum":82,"vote_count":100,"section_id":35198008907921,"created_at":"2018-12-03T13:18:30Z","updated_at":"2026-06-10T10:55:32Z","name":"What is the e-resident digital ID card?","title":"What is the e-resident digital ID card?","source_locale":"en-gb","locale":"en-gb","outdated":false,"outdated_locales":[],"edited_at":"2026-01-07T08:49:30Z","user_segment_id":null,"permission_group_id":44069,"content_tag_ids":[],"label_names":[],"body":"<p>The e-resident digital ID card is a secure digital identity card issued by the Estonian government to non-residents who join Estonia’s e-Residency program. It enables you to access Estonian e-services and sign documents digitally, no matter where you are in the world.</p><p><strong>Key facts</strong></p><ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ede08dd4f63729d1dbe891c4b27003d3e\">It's a digital identity, not a travel document or residence permit.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e66076ec4f8c6ce8b62c9228ac0566f97\">It contains a smart chip that enables secure authentication and digital signatures.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e8b49b9461eb0829c203c35faed30b641\">It’s used mainly by entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to run a location-independent business.</li>\n</ul><h2 id=\"h_01JY62VRE72Y14W4E84V828225\">What can you do with the e-resident digital ID card?</h2><p>With your digital ID card, <strong>you can</strong>:</p><ul class=\"list list--icons-checkmark\">\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ec12d9b7e2f7a9a5addf1861b15284cb7\"><p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Digitally sign documents - legally valid across the EU under the eIDAS regulation. </span></p></li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e50fc6036ddf6b406f13846662a7dd72b\"><p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Log into Estonian e‑services - such as the Business Register, e‑Tax, and more. </span></p></li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ea09729f1c82c0db7e080f9262b42b97f\">Manage your Estonian company 100% online.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e1058724fd47ad1bee38a333cfac39c15\">Encrypt and send files securely.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eb99d5e5971327d4d753205271c71e118\"><p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Authorize someone else to act on your behalf in Estonian e-services.</span></p></li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e262c995e0c91b91e0927f9274a3403d6\">Use the card as a loyalty card in stores when visiting Estonia for a longer period of time.</li>\n</ul><article class=\"callout callout--variant-warning\">\n<div class=\"callout__content\">\n<p><strong>The digital ID card helps you build trust and credibility in the EU business environment.</strong></p>\n</div>\n</article><p>It's important to understand what the card <strong>cannot be used for</strong>:</p><ul class=\"list list--icons-xmark\">\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eb993c2fb061755cd6cc444ae76292576\">It is not a physical identification document and does not display a photo.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"eeb0123255f0e1e721d417161b03a581e\">It is not a travel document or visa.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e98b2e2876b72e778025bac7adae5d6f0\">It does not provide citizenship, tax residency, or physical residence rights.</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e8ddbca3c44487fc76f8a1b94c9ae3170\">It does not automatically grant you access to personal bank accounts or financial services (these are provided separately by private sector service providers).</li>\n</ul><h2 id=\"h_01JY63HJ3CV44X4ETMGAV00CGH\">What does the card look like?</h2><p>The e-resident digital ID card is a plastic card with a smart chip, similar in appearance to a bank card or national ID. It displays</p><ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e5a360169e095f5cc255653296d816b1c\">Your full name</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ef87644b72d9f277f6b963181dee0bd1d\">Your 11-digit Estonian personal identification code (also acts as TIN number in Estonia)</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e195e14880d74df5c75f9c822e9c43148\">6-digit CAN number</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e6bfe02e909b123e979c390a1f84befa0\">Validity date</li>\n</ul><figure class=\"wysiwyg-table wysiwyg-table-align-left\" style=\"height: 222px; width: 100%;\"><table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\"><tbody><tr style=\"height: 222px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 222px; width: 50%;\"><figure class=\"wysiwyg-image\"><img style=\"aspect-ratio: 3871/2582;\" src=\"https://learn.e-resident.gov.ee/hc/article_attachments/41740047994129\" alt=\"Untitled design (11).png\" width=\"3871\" height=\"2582\"></figure></td>\n<td style=\"height: 222px; width: 50%;\"><figure class=\"wysiwyg-image\"><img style=\"aspect-ratio: 3871/2582;\" src=\"https://learn.e-resident.gov.ee/hc/article_attachments/41740047999505\" alt=\"Tagakülg, transparent.png\" width=\"3871\" height=\"2582\"></figure></td>\n</tr></tbody></table></figure><h2 id=\"h_01JY64ER8708JGYNW62YYP9B66\">Electronic use of card </h2><p>When you receive your e-resident digital ID card, you 'll also get: </p><ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e79190dcce22664ebcfac3f8fc27ae742\">A security code envelope with the PIN and PUK codes. </li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"ef7c1905bc2a1d554cc0f01e6cc9bcc0e\">A USB smart card reader (currently with USB type A connector)</li>\n</ul><p>To start using the card, <strong>you will need</strong> all of the following</p><ul>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e85ada9f79d8b3b594bbea1a510656552\">Your PIN codes;</li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e7f6f6bc87054985340c5affd1f786ec8\">The USB smart card reader; </li>\n<li data-list-item-id=\"e758e0d86358af2f056711d8a224b8048\">\n<a href=\"https://www.id.ee/en/article/install-id-software/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The ID software</a> installed on your computer.</li>\n</ul><p><em>In case your computer does not have a USB Type-A connector, you will need to separately purchase either another smart card reader or a USB adapter. Read from </em><a href=\"https://www.id.ee/en/article/useful-information-about-smartcard-readers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em>ID help</em></a><em> website, which alternatives are compatible. </em></p><article class=\"callout callout--variant-warning\">\n<div class=\"callout__content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Keep your security codes secret and separate from your card!</li>\n<li>Do not lose your PIN codes! </li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</article><p>To<strong> use the card</strong>:</p><p>1. Download the ID software</p><p>2. Insert your card into the USB smart card reader and connect the smart card reader to your computer</p><p>3. Confirm your card is connected properly by opening the ID Software DigiDoc4. </p><p>If you have already collected your card from the embassy, read<a href=\"https://learn.e-resident.gov.ee/hc/en-gb/articles/360000624378\"><strong> Get started with your digital ID</strong></a><strong>. </strong></p><article class=\"callout callout--variant-success\">\n    <h3 class=\"callout__title\" id=\"h_01JY67DBDTZ1Q2QN6D07T6GFC1\">ID Software user support</h3>\n    <div class=\"callout__content\">\n      <p>\n        The ID software support team (run by the Estonian Information System\n        Authority)\n        assists both e-residents and Estonian residents with technical issues\n        related\n        digital ID usage.\n      </p>\n      <p>\n        Find help articles, video tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and\n        downloads\n        at<a href=\"https://www.id.ee/en/id-help/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> their website</a>.\n        You can also contact the ID card support by phone at (+372) 666 8888\n        or through an online form on their website. \n        ID card helpline works Monday to Friday, 8:00 - 19:00 EET.\n      </p>\n    </div>\n  </article>","user_segment_ids":[]}}