The mobile app eDoklady allows citizens in the Czech Republic to use their ID cards digitally on their smartphones. As of Wednesday, the digital ID card is now accepted by a wide range of institutions. Over the course of the year, additional documents, such as driving licenses and insurance cards, will also be integrated into the app.
The eDoklady app, which serves as a digital replacement for physical ID cards, can now be used at post offices, banks, health insurance companies, and polling stations. Furthermore, all municipalities are required to accept the digital ID card. According to the Digital and Information Authority, users will soon be able to upload other important documents to the app, including driving licenses, certificates of study, and insurance cards.
The eDocuments service has been available since late January last year, with approximately 600,000 people downloading the app in the past 12 months. It simplifies personal identification without requiring the physical ID card. However, the plastic ID card remains valid and can still be used as before. eDoklady is designed to complement, rather than replace, the physical version.
“I am pleased that people have embraced eDocuments and are actively using them. The significant expansion of acceptance points for eDocuments will simplify everyday life and help establish eDocuments as a standard. Of course, plastic ID cards will remain valid,” Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) told the ČT24 news channel.
Since January last year, the application has been accepted by central state administrative bodies, such as ministries, and since April, by field police officers. In July, additional institutions, including labour offices, tax offices, regional offices, courts, the Czech Social Insurance Institution, and municipalities with extended jurisdiction, also began accepting the digital ID card.
The electronic version of the ID card offers enhanced security. If a phone is lost, the app can be remotely deactivated via the citizen portal. Additionally, the app is protected by biometric data and can be reactivated on a new device if necessary.
