The Estonian government launches a call for tenders to collect biometrics of e-residents on mobile devices, marking a key step in the transition to mobile e-Residency
The IT and Development Centre at the Estonian Ministry of the Interior (SMIT) has launched a call for tenders to purchase an innovative technical solution that will enable the collection of e-residents' photos and fingerprints via smartphones. The goal is to find a contractor through a competitive dialogue process. Companies with experience in providing similar solutions are invited to submit their proposals. This governmental step marks a turning point towards mobile e-Residency.
Kaija Kirch, Head of SMIT’s Identity Services Department, explained that the solution will allow secure biometric data collection—such as facial images and fingerprints—from e-Residency applicants. Kirch said:
“This technology will significantly speed up the application process, making it easier for applicants to apply for and receive e-Residency. It is also a key step toward transitioning from the current physical e-Residency card to a future mobile solution.”
The app will help applicants meet photo requirements effortlessly and verify the authenticity of their identity documents, automatically adding these to the application.
Kirch further noted that a contractor will be chosen through a competitive dialogue to explore and assess potential solutions before making a decision. “The challenge is ensuring that data collection via smartphones is both secure and compliant with the European Union’s eIDAS Regulation. This will allow e-Residency to continue supporting secure authentication and electronic signatures equivalent to handwritten ones. We encourage companies with relevant expertise to participate in the tender,” she added.
Anita Preinvalts, Senior Superintendent of the Identity and Status Bureau of the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), emphasised that this new smart application will add a technological layer of control to the e-Residency application process:
“The app will evaluate the security features, validity, and authenticity of documents in real time, ensuring efficient identification.”
This innovation builds on Estonia’s commitment to providing the most secure and transparent digital business environment in the world.
For now, e-residents will still need to visit an Estonian representation or a PBGB service office to activate their digital ID. “This requirement remains to ensure the ID is received by the same person who applied for it. But we are hopeful that future solutions, such as the app’s fingerprint comparison feature, could eventually eliminate the need for this physical step—especially for those renewing their e-Residency,” Preinvalts said. "If successful, this solution could also be expanded for other Estonian identity documents."
Liina Vahtras, Managing Director at e-Residency, called this development a major innovation for the programme. “This initiative brings us closer to our goal of offering a fully digital alternative to the plastic e-Residency card by 2027. In the future, e-residents could activate their digital ID on their smartphones as soon as they pass a background check, without having to wait for a card to arrive by post,” Vahtras said.
"This reflects our vision of making business easier for entrepreneurs worldwide, allowing them to manage their Estonian company completely remotely and efficiently."
Vahtras added, "Not only does this development improve user convenience, but it also reinforces the trust and security that e-Residency is known for. Estonia continues to offer the most secure and transparent digital infrastructure, and this step will further enhance confidence for businesses operating through e-Residency."
“This change will shorten the process from two months to two weeks, making Estonia’s business environment even more competitive and enhancing the economic benefits for the state,” Vahtras said. “Ultimately, this innovation will give entrepreneurs greater opportunities to grow their businesses faster and with fewer obstacles, in line with our commitment to fostering a global community of like-minded business owners."
For more information on the call for tenders, visit the Public Procurement Register. The deadline for submission of tenders is 17 October 2024 at 11:00 a.m (EET).