Sweden Announces December 2026 Rollout for Government-Issued Sverige-ID

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Sweden is expected to launch Sverige-ID, a new government-issued electronic identity (e-ID) system, on December 1, 2026, as a state-backed alternative to the BankID platform that is widely used in the country.

Biometric Update has reported that Swedish citizens and residents can use the Sverige-ID system to identify themselves online, share personal information, and provide electronic signatures.

The popular Swedish e-ID BankID is operated by a consortium of Swedish banks and does not currently meet the level of trust required by EU Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI) standards. Despite this, more than 8.7 million people currently use BankID to access thousands of services in the country. Sweden has a population of approximately 10.6 million.

The new government e-ID is expected to meet the highest level of trust under EU regulations, allowing compatibility with EUDI guidelines and facilitating access to digital services across EU member states. 

Development is being led by the Swedish Police Authority and the Agency for Digital Government (Digg), which is responsible for the implementation of the EU’s electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) framework in the country.

To obtain the Sverige-ID, individuals will need to apply for a compatible physical ID card at the same time. The e-ID may be linked either to Sweden’s national ID card for citizens or to a special ID card issued to registered residents. However, national ID cards issued before December 1, 2026, will not be eligible for integration with the new system.