Spanish government launches digital DNI for in-person procedures in first phase

The Spanish government has launched the digital version of the national ID (Documento Nacional de Identidad or DNI), allowing Spanish nationals to use it as proof of identification.

Users must download the MiDNI app, available on iOS and Android devices. The digital version holds the same legal validity as the physical ID.

During the first phase, users can present the digital DNI as proof of identity for in-person procedures, such as verifying age, opening a bank account, checking into a hotel, renting a vehicle, or picking up packages.

The second phase, expected to launch in 2026, will enable remote procedures, including digital signatures and other online operations.

However, the digital DNI will not be valid outside Spain.

How to get the digital DNI

To access the digital DNI, users must download the MiDNI app on their iOS or Android device.

Before activation, DNI holders must register their phone numbers with their ID numbers through the official website (www.midni.gob.es) or at any DNI renewal station.

Users cannot access the QR code or digital DNI if their physical ID is reported lost or stolen, as the information on the MiDNI app is connected in real-time to the National Police.

The physical and digital versions will coexist, and public and private institutions will have 12 months to adapt to the new system.

NIE and driving license

Sources from the Spanish interior ministry, the authority behind the project, told Catalan News that "at the moment, they have not planned to include the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) in the new MiDNI app."

Meanwhile, Spain's traffic agency (DGT) already offers the possibility of having a virtual copy of a driver's license.

The miDGT app is available on iOS and Android app marketplaces. The app features a digital version of the driving license, information on registered vehicles to the driver, and manage traffic fines.