The UK government has opened a consultation on a proposed national digital ID system, setting out plans that would apply to British and Irish citizens, as well as foreign nationals with permission to be in the UK. Published on 10 March, the consultation closes at 12:30pm on 5 May 2026 and forms part of a wider push to modernise how people access public services.
Officials say the scheme is being designed around three core principles — useful, inclusive, and trusted. The consultation also states that the digital ID is intended to be something people will want to get, rather than something they must have, adding that there will be no legal obligation to hold or present it. The proposal therefore centres on building public confidence while maintaining alternative routes for those who prefer existing access methods.
Ministers say a digital ID could help people manage tasks such as free childcare payments and tax returns through a single app-based experience, while reducing dependence on paper forms, phone calls, and repeated identity checks across departments. Officials have also pointed to the scale of analogue administration still embedded in the system, including tens of thousands of letters processed daily and large volumes of paper forms and call centre requests handled across departments.
Liina Vahtras, managing director of e-Residency, said: “It is right that digital identity prompts a serious conversation about privacy, security and trust. Estonia’s experience suggests that public confidence grows step by step when digital ID is transparent, voluntary in use and clearly helps people with everyday tasks. Today, Estonia has brought all government services online, and digital identity has become a practical part of daily life, from accessing services to securely signing documents.”
Estonia is often cited as one of the most advanced digital governments in Europe. Digital identity is embedded across the country’s public services and routinely used for tasks including digital signatures, tax claims, medical records, and prescriptions. The system has been introduced gradually over more than two decades, with officials emphasising transparency and practical value as the main drivers of adoption.
There is also a commercial dimension. Vahtras said trusted digital identity matters not only for individuals but also for businesses, helping entrepreneurs verify themselves, sign contracts securely, and operate across borders. Through Estonia’s e-Residency programme, more than 130,000 people from over 170 countries have applied to use the country’s government-issued digital identity to build and run businesses online.
The UK consultation now turns to questions that typically determine whether national digital identity systems gain public support. These include eligibility, the types of information that should be included, how oversight should work, and what support is available for people who choose not to use digital routes. Responses are open until early May, after which ministers are expected to outline the next stage of policy development.
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