The Polish case study and what Europe can take from the rapid adoption of digital IDs
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As the UK continues to shape its Digital ID ecosystem, it's worth looking abroad for examples of what's worked elsewhere. Around the world, digital identity has become an essential part of the digital economy. It helps citizens access public services, simplifying financial onboarding, and enabling safer online interactions. Within Europe, Poland's experience stands out as a compelling case study for how to roll out digital IDs at scale and drive widespread public adoption.
Poland as a case study in rapid adoption
Poland has emerged as one of Europe's most successful adopters of digital identity. Four in five Poles already use an electronic ID (eID), most often accessed through a mobile app called mObywatel. Citizens rely on it not just for standard ID verification, but for everyday tasks, from viewing their driving record and checking local air quality to locating polling stations. This breadth of use has made digital identity part of daily life.
Poland is far from alone in embracing eIDs. Across Europe, adoption has accelerated: Belgium issues eIDs to every citizen above age 12, Italy's SPID reached over 36 million users in 2023, and Denmark's MitID processes almost 90 million monthly transactions. Yet Poland's integrated, citizen-centric approach shows how an eID can evolve beyond a government credential into a widely trusted and used digital tool.
Interoperability is essential
Europe's ambition for digital identity goes beyond national programs. By 2026, all EU member states are expected to introduce some form of digital identity under the EU Digital Identity Framework. The vision is clear. A citizen from Portugal should be able to sign a contract in Ireland or access tax services in France using their eID.
To achieve that, interoperability must be central. Even though many eID systems are already designed with compatibility in mind, true interoperability requires aligned standards and consistent technical implementation. Poland's experience demonstrates the benefits of early and collaborative rollout. By focusing on open standards, secure verification methods, and integration with both public and private services, it has laid the groundwork for future cross-border use.
This matters for Europe as a whole. A unified, interoperable system would not only enable seamless access to services across borders but also reinforce trust in digital identity as a secure foundation for everything from banking to mobility.
From identification to practical utility
One reason Poland's eID system has gained such traction is that it delivers practical, everyday value. More than 8 million citizens use the government-issued digital ID through mObywatel, while another 22 million rely on the bank-issued mojeID, accepted by most offices, banks, and post offices nationwide. These IDs go far beyond identity verification, integrating driving licences, student and pensioner cards, IBAN numbers, and even educational qualifications.
The government's continuous improvement of mObywatel has been critical to its success. By incorporating features like real-time air-quality updates and exploring innovations such as accident reporting for insurers, mObywatel shows how eIDs can evolve alongside citizen needs. Instead of being a one-off registration exercise, Poland's digital ID has become something citizens actively use and rely on.
Equally important has been the alignment between regulation and implementation. Polish authorities worked in close coordination with financial regulators and private providers to ensure that eIDs were accepted across sectors. That pragmatic, inclusive cooperation built trust early on and created the momentum other countries are now eager to replicate.
Poland's success also reflects its early partnership with the private sector. Banks, fintechs, and app developers were involved from the beginning, helping integrate digital identity into daily economic and social life. This public-private collaboration has yielded innovative use cases that highlight the broader benefits of eID adoption.
Take the example of HomeGirl, a Polish safety app designed to help women get home safely after nights out. The app uses eID verification to confirm users' identity and gender while preserving privacy. This peer-to-peer trust mechanism is built on secure, verified digital identity. And it enables HomeGirl to create a private, safety-focused community that would not be possible without eIDs.
Poland: a blueprint for collaboration and interoperability
As digital identity becomes a cornerstone of modern economies, Poland's experience offers valuable lessons for Europe and beyond. Widespread adoption depends not just on technology, but on trust. And trust grows through transparency, utility, and interoperability.
The next phase for digital ID in Europe will depend on how well governments, businesses, and citizens collaborate to build systems that are secure, inclusive, and genuinely useful. Poland's playbook of gradual rollout, continuous feature expansion, and strong private-sector engagement provides a proven roadmap for how that can be achieved, including in the UK.
Author
Jarek Sygitowicz
Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Authologic
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Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura Foster
Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
Laura advocates for better emerging technology policy in the UK, including quantum, future of compute technologies, semiconductors, digital ID and more. Working alongside techUK members and UK Government she champions long-term, cohesive, and sustainable investment that will ensure the UK can commercialise future science and technology research. Laura leads a high-performing team at techUK, as well as publishing several reports on these topics herself, and being a regular speaker at events.
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer exploring adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University and is a Cambridge Policy Fellow. Outside of work she loves reading, writing and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on Semiconductors and Digital ID.
He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.
Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.
