If you live in Estonia and use an Estonian ID-card, you can now register or renew your Smart-ID account simply by using your NFC-enabled smartphone. The previous registration option that required a separate card reader has been replaced with this new NFC-based flow, so the whole process now happens on a single device.
The new registration method significantly enhances fraud protection, because both the mobile phone and the ID-card must be physically present in the same place during onboarding. This is an important change because fraudsters can no longer trick people into entering their ID-card PIN codes for them during phone calls.
Using the new method is straightforward and fast: install or update the Smart-ID app, start registration and choose ID-card as your method. Then follow the on-screen instructions to tap your ID-card with your smartphone when prompted. The NFC option works with Estonian ID-cards that have an NFC chip, issued after August 2021, and requires a smartphone with NFC support. Older ID-cards or phones without NFC support cannot be used for this method. In these cases, you can register Smart-ID using Mobile-ID or by visiting a bank office.
The NFC option is available to Estonian residents, e-Residents and residence permit holders who have an Estonian ID-card with NFC support and an NFC-enabled smartphone. If you are creating your first Smart-ID account or renewing an existing one, this is now the most convenient way to get started.
Existing Smart-ID users can still use biometric identification to create a new Smart-ID account on a new device. You do not need to have an active Smart-ID account or access to it, but you do need to have previously registered a Smart-ID account and still have access to your previously used contact information (email or mobile phone number).