ID-card and Digi-ID
Unlike in many other countries, every Estonian, irrespective of their location, has a state issued digital identity. The digital identity system is highly-developed national ID card system, which provides digital access to all of Estonia's secure e-services. The digital identity gives users many opportunities to reach services on-the-go: access bank account, vote, sign documents digitally, receive e-prescriptions, use discounts etc.
International students have a possibility to use these benefits as well. Students, who are granted with the temporary residence permit (TRP), receive a TRP card, which has a chip. The chip has two certificates on it: one certificate is meant for personal identification (at library, pharmacy, stores etc.) and the other is for digital signature which replaces handwritten signature.
Together with the residence permit card every student receives TRP card PIN-codes, which you need for identification and to use the digital signing system. There are 3 type of codes: PIN1 (identification), PIN2 (digital signing), PUK (for unlocking locked PIN). Please see more information about codes here.
For you to be able to use the advantages the chipped TRP card gives, you need to dowload software to your computer. For the software to work properly, you need to have 4 programmes. Step-by-step overview of the installation can be found here.
In addition to TRP-card, PIN-codes and software, you need to have a smartcard reader. Many newer computers have a built-in card readers in the computer itself of the keyboard, otherwise you can buy one in a computer store or your local bank office. It is easy to use an external smartcard reader - you just need to connect the device to your USB-port. You should not have any problems with Estonia's best-selling readers, the Omnikey CardMan 1021 (USB) and SCM SCR 3310 (USB). More useful information on smartcard readers here.
The most important things you need to have to become successful digital identity user:
- TRP-card;
- PIN-codes;
- a computer with an active internet connection;
- a smartcard reader;
- ID-card software;
- valid certificates.
A lot of useful information can be read on our official identity document website id.ee.