Government takes a step to make services accessible through smartphones: Estonia introduces a state application
In the heart of digital innovation, Estonia has launched the Eesti.ee mobile app, a game-changer in the realm of government services and digital identity verification. Launched in December 2024, the app consolidates over 50 government services into a single mobile application, making everyday interactions with the state more convenient than ever before.
Starting from July 7, 2025, the app introduced an identity verification feature, allowing users to verify their identity directly via their smartphones. This ground-breaking capability uses digital copies of ID cards or passports, providing a secure and practical alternative to traditional methods. The gradual rollout of this feature ensures a smooth transition for both service providers and users.
Estonia's digital identity framework, established since the 2002 mandatory national digital ID card initiative, forms the backbone of this digital society. The app builds upon this foundation, integrating with Estonia's secure data exchange platform (X-road) for seamless and safe interactions between citizens and government services.
The Eesti.ee app offers a multitude of services, including viewing personal and children’s data, accessing prescriptions, receiving government notifications, managing automobiles, and reporting local government maintenance issues. These services, previously requiring multiple portals or physical visits, are now easily accessible from mobile devices.
The integration of digital ID verification within the app enables users to carry out identity-dependent services without the need for physical documents, reducing friction and improving security. This convenience and security promote trust and wider adoption of state e-services. As of early July, the app has already been downloaded by more than 54,000 people.
However, teething problems were experienced following the launch, with a surge in users temporarily straining the system. Despite this, the development team responded swiftly and restored full functionality.
Future enhancements for the app include the ability to favourite services and personalise the app's layout. Requests for the integration of travel cards have been promised in future updates. Parents can access information about their underage children through the app, and municipalities can be notified of local maintenance issues through an integrated map tool.
Eesti.ee not only modernises state service delivery by centralising and mobilising access but also significantly enhances digital identity verification. This positions Estonia at the forefront of government digital transformation, facilitating efficient, secure, and user-friendly public service interactions while reinforcing Estonia’s reputation as a global leader in e-governance.
All data exchange is conducted through Estonia's secure X-Road infrastructure. It is important to note that digital documents valid only within Estonia and do not replace passports or ID cards for travel or international transactions. To log in to the app, users require Mobile-ID, Smart-ID, or an EU digital ID.
In summary, the Eesti.ee app is a significant step forward in Estonia's digital revolution, simplifying access to government services and streamlining digital identity verification. With its user-friendly interface and practical features, it is set to redefine what a digital state can be.
- The Eesti.ee app, launched in Estonia, revolutionizes government services and digital identity verification, consolidating over 50 services into a single mobile application.
- Starting from July 7, 2025, the app introduced an identity verification feature that allows users to verify their identity directly via their smartphones using digital copies of ID cards or passports.
- Building upon Estonia's secure digital identity framework established since 2002, the app integrates with Estonia's secure data exchange platform (X-road) for seamless and safe interactions between citizens and government services.
- Eesti.ee app users can now easily access services such as viewing personal and children’s data, managing automobiles, and reporting local government maintenance issues from their mobile devices, eliminating the need for multiple portals or physical visits.
