Name in original language
Video identificación remota para emisión de identidades digitales de ciudadanos
Initiative overview
The Spanish Royal Mint (FNMT‑RCM) has deployed a remote video identification service to meet the growing demand for secure digital identity in an increasingly digital society. Until now, obtaining a qualified electronic certificate required citizens to appear in person at a registration office. This new service applies advanced artificial intelligence to offer a legally compliant, secure, and user‑friendly alternative that fully meets the requirements of the European eIDAS framework. The initiative aims to expand the reach of digital public administration, reduce barriers linked to physical mobility, and improve the efficiency of public resources.
The system uses biometric algorithms to perform liveness detection and to match the user’s facial image with the photograph on their identity document in real time, ensuring that the applicant is the legitimate holder of the ID. The service has been designed with scalability in mind. As digital interaction with public authorities becomes standard practice, the FNMT plans to continue improving the underlying AI models, broaden support for additional international identity documents, and progressively integrate the solution into Spain’s future European Digital Identity Wallet.
Results, outcomes and impacts
The initiative has demonstrated strong results, with approximately 14% of all qualified electronic certificates now issued through the remote video identification channel. In 2025, the service reached nearly 700,000 completed video identifications, marking a significant milestone in its adoption. Its main impact has been the substantial reduction in travel time and physical queues for citizens, thereby improving the overall accessibility of digital public services. Performance is monitored through real‑time issuance statistics and user completion rates, which provide continuous insight into system efficiency and user experience. Looking ahead, a steady increase in uptake is expected, with the goal of making it the preferred option for users.
Challenges and lessons learned
One of the main challenges was ensuring the security and authenticity of identity documents in a remote environment. To mitigate risks like "presentation attacks" (using photos or masks), the FNMT implemented sophisticated biometric algorithms and a human-in-the-loop verification process. A key lesson learned is that user experience (UX) is vital; the process must be intuitive, providing clear instructions for lighting and camera positioning to ensure high-quality biometric capture. Success requires a robust legal framework that recognises remote identification as equivalent to physical presence, alongside a high-performance technological infrastructure capable of processing large volumes of video data securely.
