Date: 9 October 2025 Author: Paweł Przepióra

Digital State: How Poland Became a European Leader in Digitalisation

Only three decades ago, Poland was stepping out of communism’s shadow, confronting economic challenges and a technology gap that would shape its digital journey. Following the fall of communism in 1989, Poland began a transformative journey, rapidly narrowing the gap with more developed Western countries. Today, the country has not only caught up with many of its Western peers but has also emerged as a pioneer in certain digital solutions.

Photo: Adobe Stock

Platforms like moje.cert.pl (enabling secure digital certification), mObywatel (granting mobile access to government services), and e-dowód (providing a digital ID) illustrate Poland’s capacity to lead the development of digital governance in Europe. They enable mobile access to documents and public services, rapid issuance of certificates, and a more seamless interaction with government institutions. More than a mere convenience, this represents Poland’s capacity to use technology to drive social and economic development, setting a benchmark for other nations. Today’s digital Poland illustrates how far the country has progressed: from laying the foundations of a free market to becoming a European leader in digital transformation.

Profil Zaufany: Poland’s First Major Step Toward a Digital State

The state’s journey toward full digitalisation began with Profil Zaufany [Trusted Profile], a digital ID that enables secure online access to public services and electronic document signing. It served as the cornerstone of Poland’s digital public administration. Profil Zaufany allowed citizens to access government portals – such as the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the Tax Office – submit applications digitally, and communicate with public offices without in-person visits. Although not entirely user-friendly, it served as a crucial first step in Poland’s digital modernisation of government services. In consequence, citizens embraced the system, cutting down office queues, as the government progressively moved more official procedures online. Drawing from this experience, the idea of a mobile application was born – putting the digital state literally in the hands of every Pole. These efforts culminated in mObywatel, Poland’s official government mobile app, which debuted in 2017.

mObywatel: The Digital State at Your Fingertips

The first versions of mObywatel allowed for a digital ID, but it was accepted in just few offices, and attempts to use it in other situations – such as alcohol purchases – sometimes proved problematic. Despite that, Poles adopted the app rapidly, and it became commonplace across age groups, including seniors. As the system evolved, new features were introduced, such as eRecepta (electronic prescription), digital ID cards for students, lawyers, MPs, and pensioners, and a digital driving license. Beyond core services, the app enables citizens to report environmental issues, stay informed via alerts, check the vehicle’s health, and see their fines and penalty points. Through the app, citizens can log in to additional state administration services, including the Tax Office and ZUS, streamlining access across multiple platforms. Thanks to the app, millions of people across Poland have the state’s key services at their fingertips, along with a simple and fast way to access other services still outside the app.

On March 2, 2023, a bill was introduced in the Sejm – the lower house of Poland’s parliament – giving the mObywatel digital document the same legal status as the physical ID. The Act became effective on July 14, 2023. The app is regularly updated with new functionalities, including mStłuczka, which allows users to report traffic accidents electronically.

As a pioneer in Europe, Poland legally recognized digital documents as equivalent to physical ones and centralised its most important public services in a single app. With almost 10 million users – around one-third of the population – Poles are among Europe’s most engaged users of digital solutions. The country is striving to have its digital IDs accepted throughout the European Union as equivalent to physical documents, enabling citizens to travel by air within the EU without needing a physical ID.

Photo: Courtesy of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, this graphic demonstrates the representation of a digital ID within the mObywatel app. Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland, Ministry of Digitization. “New Function in mObywatel Will Reduce the Negative Effects of Identity Theft,” 13 December: 2022. Accessed 1 October 2025.

The Ministry of Digitisation also collaborates with external partners, allowing citizens to access services such as train tickets purchased through the Bilkom app.

E-dowód: More Than a Plastic ID

While mObywatel rapidly became widely used and reshaped public service delivery, a reliable physical equivalent was still necessary. The answer came in the form of the e-dowód, an electronic identity card integrating digital features with the traditional document.

In March 2019, Poland rolled out a new generation of identity cards. At first glance, the new ID card appears no different from its predecessor. The crucial change is hidden within: a chip that turns the familiar physical ID into a fully digital identification tool. With the e-dowód, citizens have an ID that works both offline and securely online.

The rollout of the e-dowód reflected Poland’s response to the rising demands of a digitally connected state. Until the launch of the e-dowód, Profil Zaufany served as the key tool for accessing online government services. Yet, there was still no solution with sufficient security to permit a fully electronic signature. The aim was a modern, eIDAS-compliant ID that combines convenience with digital security.

The e-dowód is not just an ID card – its electronic features allow users to log in to public services securely and sign electronic documents with full legal validity. With the e-dowód, citizens can digitally sign official documents, with no commercial certificates required.

The e-dowód chip holds electronic data and is secured with a PIN known solely to the cardholder, which helps prevent any unauthorized use. Designed according to EU security standards, the document is compatible with European eID systems and fully interoperable across member states.

For the typical citizen, the e-dowód is above all about making life easier. In practice, it allows users to complete official tasks remotely, sign documents electronically, and use digital services safely. Users with NFC-compatible phones can, in principle, take full advantage of the document’s capabilities.

The rollout of the e-dowód corresponds with the broader European shift toward secure digital identification. For years, several EU countries, including Estonia, Germany, and Spain, have been building their eID systems. Poland may not have been first, but its eID is notable for its wide functionality and rapid uptake, which has been harder to achieve in other large EU countries.

Photo: Illustrations of the e-dowód courtesy of Gov.pl. Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland. “e-dowód.” Accessed: 1 October 2025.

moje.cert.pl – Supporting Web Administrators

The e-dowód laid the foundation for digital identity in Poland, yet e-services expanded far beyond simply verifying identity or enabling electronic signatures. Protecting digital security for citizens and the state necessitated a tool designed to meet the needs of service providers and users alike.

Poland’s digital security involves many institutions, yet NASK (Research and Academic Computer Network) and its CERT Polska (Computer Emergency Response Team) hold a key role. Their efforts include monitoring threats on Poland’s Internet, analyzing evolving cyberattack methods, and developing ways to protect network users. CERT Polska’s role goes beyond responding to incidents; the team also works to raise public awareness and equip citizens with practical tools to safeguard their digital security. One such example is the moje.cert.pl portal, an innovative platform for service administrators, which entered pilot testing in the last quarter of 2024. Once signed up, administrators can request a complimentary domain security scan, obtain reports on credential exposures, and access up‑to‑date threat intelligence on malware and other cyber incidents. Administrators may also access a list of pages deemed unsafe. The platform thus delivers a practical and rapid solution for smaller businesses that cannot maintain dedicated security teams. So far, CERT Polska has scanned more than 1.15 million domains and subdomains using the Artemis tool via moje.cert.pl. The moje.cert.pl portal was rolled out for testing at the close of 2024.

The moje.cert.pl portal is a one-of-a-kind solution, unmatched in other major European countries for its ease of use and practicality for private organizations.

Photo: The graphic shows the alert that appears upon accessing a dangerous site. Co to jest DNS i jak działa? DNS a zagrożenia, prywatność i cenzura w sieci [What is DNS, How It Works, and Its Role in Security, Privacy, and Internet Censorship], Bezpieczny Internet, 7 November 2025. Accessed: 1 October 2025.

References:

Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland. “e-dowód.” Accessed: 1 October 2025. https://www.gov.pl/web/e-dowod
Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland, Ministry of Digitization. Bezpieczne domeny dzięki narzędziu moje.cert.pl [Safe Domains Thanks to moje.cert.pl Tool]. 12 February 2025. Accessed: 1 October 2025. https://www.gov.pl/web/cyfryzacja/bezpieczne-domeny-dzieki-narzedziu-mojecertpl
Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland, Ministry of Digitization. Nowa funkcja w mObywatelu ograniczy negatywne skutki kradzieży tożsamości [New Function in mObywatel Will Limit the Negative Effects of Identity Theft]. 13 December 2022. Accessed: 1 October 2025.
Gov.pl | Service of the Republic of Poland. “mObywatel.” Accessed: 1 October 2025. https://www.gov.pl/web/mobywatel

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The „Dumni z Polski/Proud of Poland/Stolz auf Polen” project was funded by the National Institute of Freedom – Centre for Civil Society Development as part of the Government’s Youth Fund Programme 2022-2033.

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