According to an ‘e-residency leaflet’ published by the government in September, Estonia will start issuing e-resident digital identities by the end of 2014, with the benefits including access to Estonia’s digital services.
The government says e-residency is also being launched as a platform to offer digital services “to a global audience with no prior Estonian affiliation – for anybody who wants to run their business and life in the most convenient aka digital way”.
“The card is not a physical ID-card or even a travel document because it has no photo on it, it will have a microchip with security certificates. These enable the card to be used with a small piece of software installed and a reader attached via USB to a computer”.
However, the leaflet points out that becoming an e-Estonian does “not entail full legal residency or citizenship or right of entry to Estonia”.
To obtain an e-residency, applicants must visit a Police and Border Guard office in Estonia to submit an application and provide biometrical data (your facial image and fingerprints) for a background check. There is a one-off cost of 50 euros (US$64).
The country is also planning to expand the program so people can apply at local Estonian embassies around the world within a few years.
A pro-technology stance taken by Estonia’s government since independence in 2001 has seen e-government proliferate, with e-elections, e-taxes, e-police, e-healthcare, e-banking, and e-school all commonly used.
The Estonian ID card, introduced in 2007, serves as an identity document and, within the European Union, as a travel document.
In addition to its physical use, the card is also used as proof of ID when utilising online services including internet banking, online voting, but also for ‘real world’ activities such as using public transport.
In June, the Estonian government has approved the Identity Documents Act, which creates the legal basis for non-residents to become part of the country’s eID and records management plan.
---
Quelle/Source: Security Document World, 09.10.2014
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
