SPAIN’S interior ministry has officially launched the MiDNI app on Wednesday, in a move that should make everyday life a bit easier for millions of people across the country.
From the following day, anyone with a valid physical DNI can activate the app and use it as a legally recognised form of identification.
All public and private companies are required to accept the digital version in the same way as the traditional ID card.
The system works by allowing users to identify themselves in person through their mobile phone, with verification backed by the Policia Nacional, as long as the device has an internet connection.
It is designed to be used in everyday situations, including checking into hotels, collecting parcels, renting cars at airports or picking up prescription medication at pharmacies.
Users can also prove their age when needed, for example when buying tickets or entering events, without revealing unnecessary personal information.
The app includes three different display options to limit how much data is shared in each situation.
These include an age-only option showing a photo and confirmation the user is over 18, a simple ID view with basic personal details, and the full digital DNI.
Once a user selects an option, the app generates a temporary QR code which can be scanned to verify their identity.
This code automatically expires after a short time, ensuring the information cannot be reused or copied later.
The same QR system could also be used for voting in person in the future, although this will depend on approval by electoral authorities.
Authorities say the system prioritises security and privacy, giving users full control over what information they share at any given moment.
If a phone is lost or stolen, the digital ID can be cancelled immediately by reporting it to the Policia Nacional.
To start using MiDNI, citizens must first register their physical DNI either online using a card reader or in person at official documentation update points.
These are located at Policia Nacional stations, documentation units and more than 300 town halls equipped with PAD (Punto de Actualizacion de Documentacion) services.
After registering, users must download the app, enter their ID details, create a password and confirm their account using a verification code sent by SMS.
The government hopes the new system will cut waiting times and make identity verification quicker, easier and more efficient for the Spanish population.
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