Belgium is taking a major step toward digital identification by announcing that all residents will be able to request digital versions of their physical identity cards for use on smartphones starting in November of 2026.
The new digital ID system will be available free of charge to anyone who already holds a physical Belgian identity card. The digital version will serve multiple purposes, including identification, authentication, and electronic signatures. Notably, it will also be valid for travel within the Schengen zone.
“We have to enter the 21st century,” said Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin. “There are already so many apps on our smartphones, including payment cards. It is time for a digital identity card.”
The announcement builds upon Belgium’s existing digital identity infrastructure, including the Itsme digital identification platform, which has already been providing digital verification services across the country. The new government-issued digital ID represents a broader commitment to modernizing identification systems.
Security remains a paramount concern for the initiative. Minister Quintin assured that his ministry is prioritizing cybersecurity measures: “Security is really a reason to go for the best system. Security is very important. We are in an era of cybercrime, so it is a very important concern. I can tell you that my ministry is working very hard to achieve this.”
The digital ID will need to meet strict security standards and obtain EU certification, aligning with the broader European Digital Identity (EUDI) framework. Cybersecurity expert Inti De Ceukelaire offered reassurance about the security aspects, noting that security “need not pose a problem. In certain cases, digitalisation only offers security advantages.”
Importantly, the digital ID card will remain optional, with Minister Quintin confirming that physical and digital systems will coexist: “The two systems will continue to exist side by side. The current identity card is already much more modern than the one we used 20 years ago. But, all the same, we will explain to everyone how the digital card works, and why it is interesting.”
While the specific design and functionality details are still in development, the government is working to ensure the system will be ready for public use by the November 2026 launch date.
Sources: Brussels Times, VRT News
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March 11, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim
