Denmark is taking another significant step in its digital identity infrastructure. Signicat has entered into an agreement with the Danish Agency for Digital Government to deliver NFC-based identity verification for both the existing Digital Driving Licence app and Denmark’s upcoming digital identity wallet, also known as the EUDI Wallet.
Under the agreement, Signicat will act as the technology provider for solutions that allow citizens to verify their identity by scanning passports and other official ID documents directly with their smartphone. The system relies on NFC technology to read the secure chip already embedded in modern passports, national ID cards, and residence permits.
Passport data verified directly on the smartphone
At the core of the solution is Signicat’s ReadID technology, which retrieves the facial image and identity data directly from the passport’s chip. The entire process is performed locally on the user’s own device, and no new biometric data is created or stored. Identity verification is instead based on the cryptographic security that is already built into official identity documents.
This approach enables citizens to prove their identity digitally without physical attendance or manual checks. NFC ensures a fast and standardized verification process while maintaining a high level of security.
Proven technology from the Digital Driving Licence app
NFC-based verification is not new in Denmark. It has been a key component of the Digital Driving Licence app since its launch in 2020. Users log in with MitID and scan their passport to add a verified photo, which functions as visual identification within the app. Since launch, more than 2.1 million digital driving licences have been issued.
The same technology will now form the foundation of Denmark’s upcoming digital identity wallet, a project the Danish Agency for Digital Government has been developing since spring 2025. The first version of the wallet is expected to be ready in the first half of 2026.
Beyond digital ID
The use of NFC technology extends well beyond digital identification alone. It can support age verification, secure onboarding for both private and public services, and cross-border identification within the EU under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation.
Use of the digital identity wallet will be voluntary and designed to comply with Denmark’s strict requirements on data protection and privacy. Citizens will remain in full control of which personal information they choose to share, reinforcing trust as digital identity becomes an increasingly central part of public and private services.
