Key Points
- Digital ID mandatory to gain employment
- It will be stored on smartphone, includes personal data
- It will not be required for daily identification
LONDON, United Kingdom: The UK government is introducing a nationwide digital ID system, held on smartphones and designed to verify a person’s right to live and work in the country.
While individuals won’t be required to carry or produce the ID in public, it will be mandatory to work in the UK.
Our immigration system needs to be fair.
That’s why we are introducing digital ID — if you don’t have it, you can’t work here. pic.twitter.com/T8fsKGVROU
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 26, 2025
Here is what it means for ordinary citizens and foreign immigrants.
Why digital IDs?
The digital ID system is intended to curb illegal migration by making it harder for those without legal status to gain employment.
Ministers argue that access to work is a key driver for illegal migration, according to the BBC.
With current systems being vulnerable, the government believes a digital ID tied to biometric data will help close loopholes in the shadow economy.
Will digital ID be compulsory?
The digital ID will be compulsory only for those seeking employment. For others, like students and pensioners, it remains optional, the BBC reports.
While it won’t function like a traditional ID card, the government plans to integrate it with some public services. In the future, it could simplify processes for applying for tax records, childcare, welfare benefits, or driving licences.
Will people who don’t have a smartphone need a digital ID card?
Yes, the government says the system will be “inclusive” and work for people without smartphones, passports, or reliable internet access.
A public consultation will explore alternatives such as physical documents or in-person support for groups like older adults or the homeless.
Which other countries already have ID cards?
Countries like Estonia, Australia, Denmark, and India already use digital ID systems, each with unique features.
Estonia’s is mandatory and used across services from voting to banking. Australia and Denmark use app-based voluntary systems, while India assigns a 12-digit ID number to residents.
Has the UK tried to introduce ID cards before?
Yes. Labour introduced voluntary ID cards in the early 2000s, but the scheme was scrapped in 2011 by a Conservative-led coalition, citing cost and concerns over civil liberties.
The UK has only mandated ID cards during wartime, with the last being abolished in 1952.
Why are some people against digital ID?
According to AFP, critics argue the system could lead to surveillance, raise data security concerns, and infringe on civil liberties. Groups like Big Brother Watch warn that it may push undocumented migrants further underground.
More than one million people have signed a petition against it.
Former Conservative minister David Davis also warned that no system is immune to data breaches, urging caution.
