What is the difference between e-ID and mObywatel? Where is the place for mID in all this? This article will help you better understand the digital documents we use in Poland.
e-ID and mCitizen – what is the difference?
In a world of increasingly rapid technological changes, documents have also undergone a kind of revolution. With the advent of e-ID, the mObywatel application and mID, our everyday life has gained several significant simplifications. But how are these tools really different? Which of them are worth always having at hand?
You don’t have to be an expert to understand how these solutions work – 3 minutes of reading is enough. In this article, we dispel any doubts and explain in which situations each of these tools can be invaluable.
e-ID – plastic with an electronic soul
At first glance, e-ID looks like an ordinary ID card. However, since 2019, evidence from has become the standard electronic layerwhich is an invisible chip that gives access to additional functions. Thanks to this, e-ID is more than just an identifier – it is a tool that allows you to deal with matters in the digital world. If you have an ID card issued from March 2019, it most likely already has a special chip.
What can you do with e-ID?
- Log into government systemssuch as ePUAP or Profil Zaufany.
- Sign electronic documentswhich facilitates cooperation with offices and companies.
- Confirm your identity onlinee.g. in banks or other institutions requiring verification.
To fully use these functions, you need a device with an NFC reader – it can be a computer with an appropriate scanner or a smartphone that supports this technology. Importantly, access to the data on the chip is protected by a PIN, so you don’t have to worry about remembering another sequence of digits.
mObywatel – everything in one place
In turn, the mObywatel application is a digital answer to the problem of stuffed wallets. Thanks to it, you can carry your ID, driving license, tickets or ID in your pocket – and all in one place – on your smartphone screen.
The most important functions of mObywatel include:
- mEvidence – a digital version of the ID card that can be shown at the post office, on a train or in a hotel.
- mDriving License – a great solution that aggregates information about driver authorizations in one place.
- My vehicles – a collection of information about your vehicles (including registration certificate and insurance confirmation).
- ePrescriptions – digital prescriptions in one place, without having to look for paper printouts, codes or e-mails.
mObywatel is everyday convenience, but remember that its functionalities are supported only in Poland. If you are going abroad, mID will not replace a plastic ID or passport.
mID – a digital document in a new version
Finally, it is worth mentioning once again mProofi.e. a digital identity document introduced as part of the mObywatel 2.0 application. It is worth knowing that mID is not the same as e-ID.
Differences between mID and e-ID
- e-ID is a plastic document with an electronic layer, equipped with an NFC chip. It works contactless and is a full-fledged document in Poland and abroad.
- mEvidence is an exclusively digital document available in the mObywatel application. In Poland, it can be used similarly to an ID card, but it has a separate series, number and expiration date.
If you travel frequently, e-ID is an absolute must. This is the only document that will fulfill its role abroad and will enable the use of an electronic signature. However, if you focus on convenience in everyday life, mCitizen with mID may be the perfect solution – especially when you don’t want to take your entire wallet with you.
e-ID, mObywatel and mID are tools that have one common task – to make life easier in a world full of formalities. Each of them has its place and use, so it is worth using these solutions depending on your needs.
