Digital identification application

The digital identification application is an official proof of identity like a passport and identity card. It will be possible to use it in many different daily service situations, including when using both in-person and digital services, for example:

• Proving your identity when collecting a package
• Proving your age when buying age-restricted products 
• Proving your identity when applying for a strong electronic means of identification (online banking codes, mobile ID)
• Proving your identity when picking up a passport or identity card from a service point
• When logging in to electronic services.

The digital identification application will make it possible to prove your identity when using in-person services provided by both the public and private sectors. The use of the application in private sector services will depend on whether the private sector adopts the new service.

The digital identification application will improve management of personal data

When using the digital identification application, personal data is transmitted directly from the application on a person's smartphone to the service. There is no identification service provider of broker service in the middle, such as a bank or telecom operator.

This means that the provider of the digital identification application, i.e. the government, will not be able to monitor how people use the digital identification application. Usage data will only be stored in the data secure application.

The digital identification application will be introduced alongside passports and identity cards

Everyone who has a valid Finnish passport, identity card, identity card for foreign nationals issued by the police or identity card for minors will be able to use the digital identification application. Using the application will be voluntary.

Minors will also be able to use the application. Minors who have reached the age of 15 will be able to use the digital identification application without the consent of their parents. Minors who are younger than 15 will be able to use the digital identification application under the same conditions as a passport or ordinary identity card, i.e. with the consent of the parent or guardian.

A new electronic means of identification will enable the use of electronic public services

If you do not have a smartphone or other mobile device, you will be able to use a separate electronic identification means for natural persons. The electronic identification means will enable people who cannot use other strong electronic identification methods to use electronic services provided by the authorities. It will be possible to use the electronic identification means for natural persons for authentication in electronic public services through the Suomi.fi e-Identification service.

It will remain possible to use electronic public services with existing strong electronic identification methods, such as the Citizen Certificate, online banking codes or mobile ID. An electronic identification means for natural persons will be available to all Finnish nationals and residents who have a valid Finnish passport, identity card or identity card for foreign nationals issued by the police.
 

The digital identification application will affect companies in many ways and open up new opportunities for them to provide electronic and in-person services.

Opening new customer relationships electronically

​​​​Opening a new customer relationship currently requires the customer to be present and to show their identity card. In future, this could be done completely digitally. For example, it will be possible to use the digital identification application to identify a new customer for the first time when issuing a strong electronic identification tool, such as online banking codes.

Companies will be able to use the digital identification application directly in their electronic services in accordance with the instructions provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. It will also be possible to use the digital identification application to identify oneself in private services through an identification broker service if the broker service supports the use of the digital identification application.

Smoother in-person services

When using in-person services, for example in shops, a customer service professional can check the information in the digital identification application using a free inspection application provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency that will be available for download when the digital identification application has been introduced.

An alternative for in-person services is to integrate an inspection interface provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency into the company’s own systems, for example, a cash register or customer system. In this alternative, the personal data presented by a person will be available for various purposes in an up-to-date form directly in the company’s own system.

Private companies may also provide inspection applications. Such applications must meet the requirements set by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

Electronic identification using the digital identification application or electronic identification means for natural persons will not require government authorities to make changes to existing systems. The identification service will be provided as part of the Suomi.fi e-Identification service.

When using in-person services, it will be possible to check the information in the digital identification application using a free inspection application provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency that will be available for download when the digital identification application has been introduced.

An alternative is to integrate an inspection interface provided by the Digital and Population Data Services Agency into the authority’s own systems, for example, a customer system. In this alternative, the personal data presented by a person will be available for various purposes in an up-to-date form directly in the company’s own system.