The Estonian government is preparing for a revolutionary shift in the e-Residency program by introducing mobile biometrics collection, therefore making the e-Residency application process smoother, easier and faster. The e-Residency program has recently announced a mobile-based solution for collecting e-residents’ biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, through smartphones.
This move is part of Estonia’s broader vision to transform e-Residency into a fully mobile experience, offering global entrepreneurs more flexibility in managing their businesses remotely.
Streamlining the e-Residency Application Process
Kaija Kirch, Head of Identity Services at SMIT, explains that the goal is to make the e-Residency application process faster and more convenient. With this mobile solution, applicants can easily upload their biometric data and identity documents via their smartphones. This will not only simplify meeting photo requirements but also verify the authenticity of documents in real time.
“This is a significant step toward our goal of transitioning from the physical e-Residency card to a fully digital solution,” said Kirch. “Once in place, the new app will streamline the application process, making it much quicker and more secure.”
For now, new e-residents will still need to visit an Estonian embassy or Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) office to activate their digital ID. However, future updates—such as integrating fingerprint comparison—may eventually eliminate the need for these physical steps, particularly for renewals.
Ensuring Security and Compliance
One of the key challenges the government faces is ensuring that this solution meets the European Union’s eIDAS regulation, which governs electronic identification and trust services. According to Kirch, the mobile biometrics solution must ensure data security while allowing e-residents to securely authenticate and sign documents electronically.
Estonia’s commitment to creating the world’s most secure digital business environment remains strong, and this new step underscores its dedication to innovation and security.
A Future of Fully Mobile e-Residency
This new mobile application will bring an extra layer of technological security to the e-Residency program. The app will analyze the security features of identity documents and verify their authenticity, ensuring efficient processing.
Looking ahead, Liina Vahtras, Managing Director at e-Residency, sees this development as a pivotal moment. “By 2027, we aim to provide a fully digital alternative to the plastic e-Residency card,” she said. “Our vision is that e-residents will soon be able to activate their digital ID directly on their smartphones, without waiting for a physical card.”
This initiative reflects Estonia’s forward-thinking approach to making business operations more accessible for global entrepreneurs. Not only will the process be faster, but it will also strengthen trust in the security of the system.
Vahtras adds, “This change will reduce the processing time from two months to two weeks, making Estonia’s digital business environment even more competitive."
Empowering Global Entrepreneurs with GrouHub
At GroüHub, we are excited about this major advancement, as it aligns perfectly with our mission to support entrepreneurs worldwide. The e-Residency program’s move toward mobile solutions will provide more efficient ways for business owners to establish and manage their Estonian companies, 100% online and from anywhere in the world.
Are you ready to take your business global with Estonia’s e-Residency? At GroüHub, we help you navigate every step of the journey—from setting up your company to ensuring full compliance with Estonian regulations.
To learn more about how you can benefit from e-Residency, book an advisory call with one of our experts here.
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