Digital identity reform
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency is working with the Finnish Police to develop a solution for reforming digital identities as part of a project by the Ministry of Finance. This development work will result in a new, secure mobile application for showing proof of identity when using in-person services and e-services of public and private actors. An alternative identification solution for using the electronic services of public administration will also be created for people who will not be using a mobile device for identification.
The aim is to develop a digital identity solution for citizens to make everyday life easier. It adapts to the needs of a changing society and is suitable for new digital platforms as they develop. The solution takes different users into account and thus promotes equality.
The digital identity development project is underway from 2020 to 2023.
Sign up for development and testing
We encourage all organisations and companies whose in-person or online services require identification to prepare for implementing the application well in advance. The aim is to ensure that the application meets the needs of different e-services and their customers as effectively as possible. Organisations and companies can participate in developing and piloting the solution.
There will be an opportunity to test using the solution in e-services in spring 2022. The timetable for testing in-person services will be specified soon.
Sign up for development and testing by sending an email to [email protected]
The legislation
15.9.2022 a government proposal on legislation enabling the use of digital identity cards was submitted to Parliament. Read the proposal.European Digital Identity Wallet
Digital identity reform is accompanied by the European Digital Identity Wallet legislation proposed by the European Commission in the summer of 2021, which would enable the digital use of different validated data, including in cross-border transactions. In practice, the change would be implemented by extending the EU regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the European Single Market (eIDAS), which currently enables cross-border e-services and trust services.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency develops digital identity solutions so that they are interoperable with the future European Digital Identity Wallet and serve as a basis for its implementation in Finland.
Finland is involved in both the technical definition of the solution and drafting of legislation. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for preparation of the European Digital Identity Wallet as a whole, and it has appointed a national coordination group for preparation of the European digital identity. The decision to appoint a coordination group and information on its activities can be found on vm.fi. The Toolbox group responsible for technical specifications includes representatives from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. In addition, Finland has a wide range of representatives involved in the use case groups preparing use cases for the Wallet.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency coordinates national cooperation related to technical specification of the reform (Toolbox), and the aim is to ensure that Finnish actors are aware of the progress of their work at the EU level as well as that Finland's views are communicated and taken into account. Every two weeks, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency holds open webinars related to technical specification of the European Digital Identity Wallet.
Send an email to [email protected] and you will receive invitations to events and up-to-date information on the progress of the work.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to frequently asked questions. You can also find more questions and answers on the Ministry of Finance website (in Finnish).
The digital proof of identity operates through a mobile app. It can be used by people who have a valid Finnish passport or identity card. It is issued by the police and serves as an identification document that is equal to a passport or identity card.
The digital proof of identity can be used for both electronic and in-person transactions. This means it will be possible to prove one’s identity when picking up a postal package, for example, by using the mobile application. The user receives for their own use the personal data which has been confirmed by the authority, and they can decide where and when to use it.
The new solution is available for use by both the private and public sector. It is also offered through Suomi.fi authentication using the same interfaces as other present-day identification solutions.
The transaction ID for foreigners can be used by foreigners who need to manage their affairs in Finland. The transaction ID is granted by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. People who would benefit from this ID would include those planning to move to Finland for work or study or foreigners who have business activities in Finland. The person is registered in the Population Information System, and this can be done remotely as a self-service. The person receives a personal identification number, which remains the same even if they move to Finland later on. The transaction ID for foreigners can only be used for electronic transactions. It works in the same way as the digital proof of identity: the user has the central role and they decide what information to use and who to share it with.
This solution for foreigners is also available for use in both the private and public sectors. It is offered through Suomi.fi e-Identification as one of the identification options, and the organization concerned decides whether to accept its use in its own service.
If you do not want or are not able to use the mobile application, you can receive an alternative means of identification for public e-services. This is also granted by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. In practice, this instrument may be a ID reading device similar to those which banks offer to their customers. The solution is offered via Suomi.fi e-Identification to participating services.
These animations show how the digital proof of identity can be used in practice:
News
- 15.9.2022 — Development of the digital identity card already far along – feedback from test users guiding completion of the mobile application
- 8.9.2022 — Higher education student, register to our hackathon to envision the future of digital identity services
- 4.4.2022 — DVV is seeking a remote digital identity identification solution provider
- 1.4.2022 — New solutions for digital identity improve opportunities to make use of Suomi.fi services
- 10.3.2022 — Market consultation on identification tokens lays the foundation for a digital identity solution – respond to a request for information
- 8.3.2022 — Finland is actively involved in the preparation of the European Digital Identity Wallet – the proposal for technical architecture can now be commented on
- 2.3.2022 — Digital and Population Data Services Agency invites you to join the development of new digital identity solutions