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Can you shift from NemID to MitID without a Danish passport?

The Local Denmark
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Can you shift from NemID to MitID without a Danish passport?
NemID already works as a secure app. Photo: Niels Christian Vilmann/Ritzau Scanpix

Last week people in Denmark began getting notifications on their NemID app asking them to update their details using one of the new Danish chip passports. The Local has received assurances from the Agency for Digitisation that those with foreign passports will not be locked out of the new system.

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What are NemID and MitID? 

NemID IS the digital ID system used in Denmark to log in to services including online banking, secure email, and personal tax. Between October 2021 and June 2022, NemID is to be phased out and replaced by a new MitID system, which will not use a physical card displaying unique login codes, as was the case with NemID. 

The change was announced in March 2019, with the new system designed to be more flexible and secure against future technological threats. 

Why are foreigners in Denmark alarmed? 

Last week people in Denmark began receiving notifications on the NemID app like this: 

Foreigners who tried to update their information soon discovered that to do so they would need to have both a Danish passport issued after the start of 2012, and a phone capable of reading NFC chips. 

This left some fearing that they would be excluded from the new system and unable to access crucial online services, or at least exposed to a period in limbo while the operators of the system got around to transferring those without Danish passports. 

So, will people living in Denmark with foreign passports be able to change over from the NemID to MitID system? 

Absolutely.

In an email sent to The Local, Denmark's Agency for Digitisation, which is handling the shift to the new MitID system, said that the new system will be available for everyone in Denmark. 

"There is no need for concern regarding MitID replacing NemID," the agency said. "MitID will be launched later this year and will eventually replace NemID. It will be possible for everyone that needs a MitID to get one – just as it is with NemID today. The transition period between NemID and MitID is planned to end mid-2022. NemID will be fully functional during the transition period. You will receive more information on what you need to do to transition to MitID later this year." 

In the email, the agency said that those who needed to resubmit their ID would receive a letter in the e-Boks digital postbox. 

"If you need to resubmit your ID to get MitID, you will receive a letter by digital post from us. If you are not able to resubmit your ID via the app, you can disregard the request and continue to use your NemID and your NemID app in the same way you always have. You will receive more information on what you need to do to transition to MitID later this year." 

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So what's with the notifications then? 

The notifications are part of the very first phase of the transition, which will involve those who have recent Danish passports which contain chips capable of being read by phones with NFC readers, as they can transfer over to the new system virtually. 

"I know it's caused some confusion because the notification pops up in the NemID app," Ringgaard Price said. "What we're trying to communicate and what gets lost sometimes is that you don't have to do anything until you receive a digital letter in your e-Boks." 

"It can be a little confusing and annoying that this notification pops up, but you can still swipe it away and do everything you need to do with your NemID."

In the email, the agency said it realised that those with foreign passports would not be able to update using NFC readers. 

"In terms of foreign passports, we are fully aware that not everyone that wants to use the functionality in the NemID app are able to, due to the passport requirements." 

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How will those without a recent Danish passport transfer to MitID?

According to the Frequently Asked Questions section on the MitID website, foreigners living in Denmark will be able to make the transition digitally, so long as they have an existing NemID account and a CPR number.

The web page where people can do this is already available here, but the migration system is not yet up and running. 

"We are working on other solutions that will become available in 2022," the agency said in an email. "Should it not be possible for you to use the MitID app, you might ultimately have to go to the citizen service center to get MitID, but more information on that will follow at a later stage." 

Is the transition to MitID still on track? 

The transition to MitID was supposed to start in August but has now been officially delayed until October. According to Ringgaard Price, the June 2022 deadline for completing the process remains in place. 

 

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Anonymous 2021/08/29 09:58
A very helpful article. This article alone is worth the monthly subscription. Thanks The Local team.

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