Digital ID in Finland: bank IDs, Suomi.fi and the EU wallet
How to prove who you are online in Finland: bank IDs, mobile certificate and ID card via Suomi.fi, eIDAS status and the EU wallet's progress in October 2026.
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In Finland you prove who you are online with strong electronic identification, which in practice means your bank credentials, a mobile certificate from your operator or the certificate on your ID card, usually selected on the Suomi.fi login page. The Finnish state wallet is planned for the end of 2026. This page explains how the pieces fit together as of October 2026.
At a glance
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| National eID or ID card with eID function | Finnish ID card with an optional citizen certificate (FINeID); notified under eIDAS at the high level, according to the European Commission |
| Mobile or app solution | Mobile certificate (Mobiilivarmenne) from mobile operators; bank apps |
| Bank-based ID | Bank IDs in the Finnish Trust Network, widely used for public and private services |
| eIDAS notification and level | ID card citizen certificate notified at high (2025); bank IDs are strong identification in national law, so check the official list for cross-border use |
| EUDI wallet, October 2026 | Planned for the end of 2026 by DVV; not yet a finished public app |
| Responsible body | Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), Traficom, Finnish police |
The national system
Finland does not have a single government login. Instead, the Finnish Trust Network lets banks and telecom operators provide strong identification under a national law, with Traficom supervising the providers. Services such as the tax administration, social insurance, health records and municipalities then use the Suomi.fi e-identification service, which offers the available means in one place. Private companies, from insurers to online shops, use the same network.
The ID card is a more traditional route. Citizens can have a certificate stored on the card and use it with a card reader, although most people choose the bank login because it is quicker. Different levels of trust are explained in levels of assurance.
How to get it and use it
Bank credentials are issued by your own bank once you are a customer and have been identified in the branch or through a similar procedure; they are then used with a code card, an app or a QR-based approval. The mobile certificate is activated through your mobile operator and is linked to your SIM card. The ID card is issued by the police, and the citizen certificate is an optional extra.
To use any of these for Finnish public services you normally need a Finnish personal identity code, which people receive when they register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. This is a common stumbling block for new arrivals, because opening a bank account and being registered often depend on each other. Plan for that sequence and ask the authorities what they accept in your case.
The EU wallet in Finland (October 2026)
The government has announced that DVV will release a smartphone-based digital identity wallet at the end of 2026 and add features gradually. According to the official announcement it will start with electronic identification and digital signatures, and a digital identity credential produced by the police and DVV is meant to be available in December 2026. Use is described as free and voluntary, the wallet will not replace physical documents, and data is not kept in a central store. A mobile driving licence is planned once the EU rules for it are in place. National legislation allowing European wallets entered into force in October 2026.
Independent trackers in September 2026 listed the project as announced and in development, so treat the dates as plans. Our guide to the EU Digital Identity Wallet explains what the wallet is meant to do across the Union.
Use abroad and by foreigners
Finnish public sector services accept a number of eIDs from other EU countries through the eIDAS network, but not every service is connected. If you are moving to Finland, expect to need Finnish bank credentials or a mobile certificate for most everyday matters even if your home eID works on some public portals. For the other direction, see using your national eID in another EU country. Finland’s Nordic and Baltic neighbours have their own models, for example Sweden with BankID and Estonia with its ID card.
What to do now
If you already live in Finland, check which strong identification means your bank offers and keep a mobile certificate as a backup in case the bank app is unavailable. If you are about to move, settle your registration with the population data authority first and the bank account afterwards. Follow the announcements of the DVV agency: when the wallet appears, see which services it supports first before you give up your existing means. Until then, bank IDs and the mobile certificate remain the dependable routes.
Privacy and security
Bank-based identification is convenient, but your bank sees which services you log in to. The planned wallet is meant to keep credentials on your phone and share only the attributes a service requests. Whichever means you use, protect the phone with a screen lock, never share one-time codes or approve a login you did not start, and be suspicious of messages that imitate your bank.
Official sources: Suomi.fi and the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to log in to Finnish government services?
Strong electronic identification. For most people that means the online banking credentials from their Finnish bank, a mobile certificate from a Finnish mobile operator or the citizen certificate on the Finnish ID card. Public services usually offer them side by side on the Suomi.fi login page.
Can I use my own country's eID in Finland?
For a number of Finnish public services, yes: Suomi.fi supports sign-in with eIDs from other EU countries that are notified under eIDAS. Coverage varies by service and by the home country, so check the login page of the service you need.
Is the Finnish EU wallet available yet?
Not as a finished public product in October 2026. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency has announced a release for the end of 2026, with features added gradually. National legislation enabling European wallets entered into force in October 2026.
Are bank IDs the same as a national ID card?
No. Bank IDs are issued by banks that are authorised to provide strong identification under Finnish law and are supervised by Traficom. The ID card is a physical document issued by the police. Both can be used to log in, but they are separate systems.