Estonia Raises the Bar for Secure Digital Identity in Europe With New eID Cards Developed With Thales
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has begun the issuance of the country’s new electronic identity (eID) cards, marking a major milestone in the ongoing modernisation of Estonia’s renowned digital identity programme.
This new generation of cards has been developed in partnership with Thales under an eight-year contract covering the full lifecycle of national identity documents - from issuance to personalisation -for residents, citizens, and specific groups such as diplomats or refugees.
The advanced eID cards1 feature cutting-edge embedded security elements that can be upgraded to counter emerging cyber threats, ensuring citizens’ digital transactions remain protected over time.
With increasing cyber risks and the rapid evolution of digital public services, Estonia is reinforcing the security, durability and adaptability of the documents that underpin its digital society: identity cards, residence permit cards, e-resident digital identity cards, diplomatic identity cards, certificates of AIP (Applicant for International Protection). Backed by Thales’ decades of expertise in secure identity technologies, the new programme introduces stronger protection against fraud, upgraded electronic features and the ability to respond quickly to emerging cybersecurity threats.
