Nearly 200,000 Polish uniformed service retirees will soon receive a digital identification card directly to their phones, streamlining access to services.
New Digital ID for Uniformed Service Retirees
Almost 200,000 uniformed service retirees will soon receive a new digital document – without needing to submit an application. The government has prepared regulations to deliver the retiree-pensioner ID directly to their smartphones.
The change aims to simplify life but also raises questions: what about those who do not use smartphones, and is this the beginning of the end for plastic documents?
Digitalization of Public Services
The new solution aligns with the digitalization of public services. In practice, however, it means a change in habits for thousands of people. An analysis of the new regulation from the Ministry of Interior and Administration is provided.
mLegitymacja: Replacing Plastic Cards
The new mLegitymacja will replace the plastic card. The regulation from the Ministry of Interior and Administration stipulates that the retiree-pensioner ID for uniformed services will be available in the mObywatel app as an mLegitymacja.
The key change is that the mLegitymacja will become the primary form of identification, with the traditional card becoming optional.
Who Will Receive the mLegitymacja Automatically?
The changes will affect a broad group of uniformed service retirees and pensioners, including former police officers, firefighters, and border guards.
This includes approximately 189,500 current beneficiaries and around 10,000 new ones annually. Importantly, the new regulations also cover individuals who already have a plastic ID – their digital document will be issued automatically within one month of the regulations taking effect.
How Does mLegitymacja Work?
The mLegitymacja in the app will contain all the key data currently found on the plastic card, including personal information and identification numbers.
It may also include information about the inability to live independently – but only if such a determination has been made. The digital document can be presented in the same way as the physical card, for example, when using discounts or public services.
ZUS and KRUS Retirees: Differences and Similarities
Retirees from the general system (ZUS) can use the mLegitymacja retiree-pensioner ID in the mObywatel app and the traditional card – issued upon request. Digitalization was implemented earlier for ZUS and operates alongside the physical document.
For KRUS, the situation is more traditional – the system is not yet as integrated with the mobile app, although the direction of change is similar. Therefore, the project for uniformed services is not a revolution, but another step towards unifying the digital document system in Poland.
When Will mLegitymacja Be Available for Uniformed Services?
The regulation does not have a specific date of entry into force. It will depend on the readiness of IT systems and the publication of a special communication by the minister responsible for IT. This communication must be published at least 14 days in advance.
Reasons for Introducing mLegitymacja
The official reason is the development of digital public services and adapting administration to the realities of the information society. In practice, this is about increasing efficiency and convenience.
The project is part of a broader trend – more and more documents are moving to mobile applications, with traditional forms becoming supplementary.
