HM Revenue and Customs has begun onboarding new digital-service customers to GOV.UK One Login, allowing them to register with an email address and password instead of a Government Gateway ID. The change took effect February 9, 2026.
The update applies to new HMRC digital-service customers who do not already have a Government Gateway account. HMRC said these new users will create a GOV.UK One Login using email and password, replacing the 10-12 digit Government Gateway identifier used previously. The change applies when users register for HMRC digital services for the first time.
Existing Government Gateway users are not required to take immediate action. HMRC said people who already use Government Gateway can continue to sign in with their current credentials until they are prompted to move to One Login in the future.
HMRC said Government Gateway remains available for existing users during the transition, while One Login becomes the default for new registrations. That approach keeps current account holders on their existing sign-in route while the new pathway expands.
In its guidance, the UK government describes GOV.UK One Login as a way to sign in and prove identity for government services. The long-term intent is for One Login to replace other sign-in routes, including Government Gateway, over time.
HMRC’s adoption marks an expansion of One Login into a high-volume service area. It reinforces One Login as the government’s future single sign-in approach for digital services.
The HMRC guidance frames the change as a phased rollout rather than an overnight migration. That approach allows new customers to start with One Login while existing users remain on Government Gateway until they are asked to switch.
HMRC said the update is part of a broader government plan to make One Login the single sign-in for public services. The announcement positions the system as the future front door for authentication and identity proofing across departments.
The move signals continued investment in centralized authentication and identity proofing for UK public services. It also provides a clearer transition path for HMRC’s large digital user base.
Sources: GOV.UK, GOV.UK Guidance
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
