Changes to electronic ID cards – chip technology and activation PIN letter to be renewed 

The electronic ID cards issued by the police are renewed. In connection with this change, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency will renew the technology behind the citizen certificate that is on the electronic ID card’s chip, to ensure that the certificate can continue to be used easily and securely also in the future. The electronic ID card’s activation PIN letter will also be renewed. These changes will apply to electronic ID cards issued on or after 13th of March 2023.

In the renewed activation PIN letter, the activation PIN required for activating the citizen certificate will no longer be printed on a plastic strip. Instead, the PIN will be available on the front bottom right corner of the second page of the two-page letter. 

The renewed letter will include activation instructions in Finnish, Swedish and Northern Sámi. For activation instructions in English, please visit the Digital and Population Data Services Agency’s website at dvv.fi/en/activation-of-the-citizen-certificate.

For more information on the new electronic ID card, please visit the website of the Finnish police at poliisi.fi/en/-/passport-and-id-card-layouts-updated.

Information about the citizen certificate

• The citizen certificate is available on the chip of the electronic ID card. 
• It can be used to, for example, log in to official e-services or make electronic signatures.
• For more information about the citizen certificate, please visit the following page: dvv.fi/en/citizen-certificate-and-electronic-identity. 

Card reader software update required to use citizen certificates on renewed electronic ID cards

The activation and use of citizen certificates on electronic ID cards issued on or after 13th of March 2023 will require updating the DigiSign Client card reader software to version 4.2.4 or later. The required card reader software is available free of charge at dvv.fi/en/card-reader-software. Version 4.2.4 of the software will be available by 13th of March 2023.

Ordering activation PIN letters to Suomi.fi Messages will be enabled at a later date

In the future, users will be able to order their activation PIN letters electronically to their Suomi.fi Messages account. We recommend activating your Suomi.fi Messages account in advance. Users will be able to continue to opt for a physical letter instead of the electronic alternative. More information on the matter will be provided at a later date. 

For more information on Suomi.fi Messages, please visit suomi.fi/messages.