From 2026 onwards, each associate State of the European Union will be required to supply citizens and businesses with an electronic means of recognition with related services, systems and registers so that the European digital identity portfolio can function as a safe and convenient tool for access to online services, both public and private.
In Poland, preparations for implementing these solutions have already begun. The list of legislative work of the Council of Ministers included a draft amendment to the Trust and Electronic recognition Services Act, which will introduce national government in accordance with the EU eIDAS Regulation. The fresh regulations will enable the functioning of the European digital identity portfolio, allowing for the safe identification, retention and exchange of electronic papers and digital access to services in Poland and while travelling across the EU.
Electronic signature and trusted profile variants
The Act besides provides that individuals utilizing the European portfolio will be given access to free qualified electronic signatures for private usage only. This functionality will be introduced in the fresh version of the mCitizen application, whose premiere is scheduled for November 2026. By adapting to eIDAS requirements, users will be able to check into a hotel in another EU country, rent a car or open a bank account.
At the same time, the Act on the informationisation of the activities of entities carrying out public tasks introduces fresh options for the trusted profile. These include electronic means of recognition for legal persons active in the public sector and for natural persons representing them to facilitate digital communication and access to public services.
History of mCitizen
The past of mCitizen's application dates back to 2017, erstwhile it was created by the technological and Academic Computer Network (NASK) commissioned by the Ministry of Digitization. The first version of the app was released on October 29, 2017 for Android, and the iOS version appeared on January 31, 2018.
Initially, the application allowed you to display basic data from your ID. In time, further features were added, specified as mDriver's licence, mRegister's certificate, and the large household Card. In 2023, after a major redevelopment, a version of mCitizen 2.0 appeared, which offered a number of further services.
