By early 2025, the French government will allow early renewal of the national identity card to make it easier to access the France Identité app, dedicated to digital identity. Launched in 2021, this biometric card, the size of a credit card, is essential for using the app, but initially, this measure will only apply to cards issued between 2016 and 2021.
A Secure Digital Identity Service
The France Identité app, developed by the government, allows citizens to securely prove their identity online without revealing personal information. This app provides access to over 1,400 services, and users can also store documents like their driver’s license. The goal is to create a centralized and secure digital wallet. Currently, around 25 million French people have the necessary biometric identity card to use the app, but those with older cards are effectively excluded from this feature.
Expanded Reasons for Early Renewal
Starting in early 2025, French citizens will be able to request early renewal of their identity card to take advantage of digital identity by selecting the reason I want a digital identity
. This option will be limited to cards issued between 2016 and 2021, as the administration has the necessary identity data to automate this process. This restriction is necessary to reduce the administrative burden on city halls and prefectures, allowing them to process requests without needing additional resources.
A Measure to Accelerate Digital Adoption
This new option should promote the use of digital identity by facilitating the renewal of the card at no cost for the citizens involved. Until now, it was only possible to renew a card early in cases of theft, loss, or a change in civil status, at a cost of 25 euros if the previous card was not returned. With this expanded option, the government hopes to encourage more citizens to adopt France Identité.
Expected Developments in the App
In addition to the identity card and driver’s license, the France Identité app will soon integrate the vehicle registration certificate and the health insurance card, further facilitating the management of official documents in digital format. An experiment will also allow SNCF controllers to check passengers’ identities via the app. France Identité aims to incorporate all official documents, turning smartphones into digital wallets for a paperless daily life.
What do you think about this? Are you comfortable with the idea of going fully digital for your administrative documents?