The new European DNI that can be carried on the mobile and that is in English comes into force

Spanish citizens who renew their national identity document from this Monday, August 2, will already obtain the new European format of electronic DNI 4.0, which includes a new design of the support itself with new security measures and which can also be carried on the mobile in a future.

As of today, the countries of the European Union must comply with EU Regulation 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019 on strengthening the security of identity documents of Union citizens, which is part of the 2016 Action Plan to tackle travel document fraud.

The new European identity document, in addition to incorporating all the security and usability measures of the previous format (electronic DNI 3.0), adds the following changes: appearance of the European Union flag with the acronym inside of the issuing country the document (in the case of Spain, ES) and the name in English of the document – National Identity Card – required by European regulations.

This new format was inaugurated by the Minister of the Interior on June 2 at the Documentation Unit of the National Police Station of Móstoles (Madrid)

Waiting for the mobile application and the DNI Express

The National Police has the next objective of implementing identity accreditation through a mobile application with which citizens can access the document for free and have the electronic signature from their mobile device. According to the General Directorate of the Police, Spain is thus at the European “vanguard” in documentation and digital identity.

It is also expected that in the coming months the DNI Exprés will be launched, a semi-automatic issuance system that will reduce waiting times during ordinary renewals of the identity document and will increase security since you will obtain a photograph at the very moment of renewal. Although for the moment the citizen will continue to have to provide their photograph in the traditional way.

However, the fact that this document comes into force today does not mean that the population that has the previous format should go for the new one. Citizens will be able to continue using the electronic DNI 3.0 (which has not expired) until August 3, 2031, although most of the documents will be updated with the next renewal.