New Remote e-Signature Solution for eID Card Users

To prevent disruption of electronic signing for many residents, Latvia will introduce a remote qualified electronic signature solution for eID cards with specific chip generations. The change will affect approximately 346,000 identity cards issued between September 2, 2019, and January 30, 2026. The chips in these cards will lose their certification for creating qualified electronic signatures in December, as the certification process by the French national oversight authority expires.

The new solution will allow users to continue signing documents electronically with the same legal validity in Latvia and other EU countries. The eID cards will remain valid as identity documents, for digital authentication, and for travel within the EU. The development will be carried out by the State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) in cooperation with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP).

LVRTC will inform affected cardholders about the upcoming changes – the current signing certificate will be revoked in December, and users will be provided access to the new remote e-signature. Residents are advised to check and update their email addresses on the Latvia.gov.lv portal to receive notifications. The cards are valid for ten years, but chip certifications must be renewed every five years according to EU regulations.