Spanish citizens no longer need to carry their physical national identity cards, known as DNI or Documento Nacional de Identidad, in their wallets, as the ID has officially entered the digital age. The country has introduced its official digital identity application, MiDNI, enabling citizens to carry their national identity documents on their mobile devices.

The digital version of the document has been developed under the Ministry of the Interior and backed by the National Police. The app promises the same legal validity as the physical DNI for a range of face-to-face transactions. The MiDNI app, which became available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store this month, is designed to simplify daily activities that traditionally required the physical DNI. Users can now register and verify their identity to check into hotels, rent vehicles, attend concerts, or even collect postal packages (all by generating a QR code that is signed and sealed by the National Police.) This real-time validation guarantees that the data displayed is both up-to-date and authentic.

How to apply for a digital ID

Before citizens can use the digital DNI, a pre-registration process is required. Registrants can register online (through http://www.midni.gob.es/) or appear in person at an official Police platform, armed with their physical DNI, a valid digital certificate, and a card reader. Once validated, the app generates a temporary QR code (available for only one minute) to prevent data forgery. Additionally, MiDNI features a built-in QR code reader that offers three levels of data display: a simplified age verification mode, a basic version with a photo and minimal data, and a complete version showing all available information.

Importantly, authorities have also addressed potential confusion in digital marketplaces. Despite the official MiDNI being the only application with legal backing for digital identity verification, similar apps bearing the same name already exist on Google Play and the App Store. One such app, developed by International Eidas LLC, is explicitly labelled as a “trial version” without legal validity or governmental affiliation. The government and the National Police have stressed the importance of downloading the correct application, with official links to be disseminated via social media channels like X.

Phased transition to a XXI’s century method of identity cards

The digital DNI marks the beginning of a phased transition, as the rollout of digital IDs, like in other countries with digital IDs like South Korea, is a work in progress that takes years. In its inaugural phase, the app will serve solely for in-person identification despite not replacing the physical DNI. From 2026, however, the digital ID is expected to become an indispensable tool, with legal requirements mandating its acceptance for identity verification in public and private settings. Looking further ahead, plans are in place to incorporate full online transaction capabilities, including telematic procedures and electronic signatures, thereby broadening the digital DNI’s utility.

As part of the initiative, approximately 6,000 mobile devices have been distributed among community police units to facilitate the immediate validation of citizens’ digital identities. The project has also been rigorously vetted by the National Cryptologic Center, the Data Protection Agency, and the National Mint, ensuring that the app meets stringent European security standards while protecting user privacy by not tracking geolocation or storing personal data beyond the moment of verification.