Digital ID in Latvia: eID card, eParaksts and the EU wallet
How to prove who you are online in Latvia: the eID card, eParaksts mobile, Smart-ID and internet banking, plus where the Latvian EU wallet stands in October 2026.
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In Latvia you identify yourself online with the eID card, the eParaksts mobile app, Smart-ID or, for some services, internet banking, usually on the Latvija.lv portal. The Latvian EU wallet is planned in a first, basic form for the end of 2026. This page explains the setup as of October 2026.
At a glance
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| National eID or ID card with eID function | Latvian eID card with authentication and qualified signature functions |
| Mobile or app solution | eParaksts mobile app; Smart-ID (private) |
| Bank-ID | Internet banking login accepted for some services |
| eIDAS notification and level | Latvian eID scheme, notified December 2019 at levels substantial and high (source: the Commission’s overview of notified eID schemes, checked October 2026) |
| EUDI wallet, October 2026 | Prototype tested in EU pilots; first version with basic functions planned by December 2026 |
| Responsible body | Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (digital policy), Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (eID card) |
The national system
Latvian e-government centres on Latvija.lv, the state portal for e-services, and on a small group of strong authentication means. The eID card carries a chip for secure login and legally binding qualified signatures. eParaksts mobile brings the same functions to a phone, so you can sign in and sign documents, access the e-address and health services without a reader. Smart-ID, a private app, and the login of certain internet banks are also accepted by many services. Our guide to qualified electronic signatures explains why signing is a separate step from logging in.
A recent change shows how important these means have become: since 1 January 2026 the tax administration’s electronic declaration system can only be reached with secure e-identification (Smart-ID, eID card, eParaksts or certain bank logins).
How to get it and use it
The eID card is issued by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs after an in-person appointment for biometrics; you also need a card reader for computer use, or you use eParaksts mobile on the phone. Foreigners with a legitimate connection to Latvia, such as a seat on a company board, property ownership, tax obligations or employment, can apply for a foreigner’s eID card, normally after registering in the Register of Natural Persons. A Latvian advisory firm puts the state fee at around 170 euros, plus extra consular fees if you apply abroad, so confirm costs with the authority. Smart-ID and eParaksts mobile are activated in the app after identity verification with a bank login or eID card.
The EU wallet in Latvia (October 2026)
Latvia has developed an EU wallet prototype used in the large-scale EU pilots, and it plans to release an initial version with basic functionality by December 2026, with the implementation period running until 2029. Independent trackers in September 2026 list Latvia as an announced project without a public sandbox, so the first version should be seen as a start rather than a complete product. Our guide to the EU Digital Identity Wallet explains the target picture.
Use abroad and by foreigners
For cross-border use, what matters is that Latvia’s eID scheme is notified at levels substantial and high and that the target service is connected through its eIDAS node; see using your national eID in another EU country. Latvia’s Baltic and Nordic neighbours have comparable but distinct systems: Estonia with its ID card, Lithuania and Finland with bank-based options.
What to do now
If you file taxes or run a company in Latvia, make sure you have one of the accepted means and that it works: Smart-ID, eID card, eParaksts or login through a supported internet bank. Foreign company directors should plan the eID card application early, since the in-person appointment takes time. Also follow the announcements about the first wallet version in December 2026 before you rely on it.
Privacy and security
Keep your eID card PINs and the eParaksts credentials secret, keep apps updated and protect the phone with a lock. Do not approve a login or signature request you did not start, and be wary of emails or texts that imitate tax or e-service portals. For company matters, remember that a qualified signature has legal effect, so check what you are signing.
Official sources: Latvija.lv and eParaksts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the eID card and eParaksts mobile?
The eID card is a physical smart card with a chip for authentication and qualified electronic signatures, used with a card reader. eParaksts mobile is a phone app that provides sign-in and signing without a reader.
Do I need an eID to file taxes in Latvia?
Since 1 January 2026 the State Revenue Service's electronic declaration system accepts only secure e-identification, namely Smart-ID, an eID card, eParaksts or login through certain internet banks. For company directors this usually means a proper eID.
Can a foreigner get a Latvian eID card?
Foreigners with a legitimate connection to Latvia, such as a company role, property or tax obligations, can apply. It involves registration, an in-person appointment for biometrics and a state fee, which a Latvian advisory firm puts at about 170 euros; check the official fee list.
Is the Latvian EU wallet available?
Not as a finished public product in October 2026. A prototype exists and a first version with basic functions is planned by December 2026. Treat dates as plans.