Estonia Raises the Bar for Secure Digital Identity in Europe With New eID Cards Developed With Thales

MEUDON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 9, 2026--

With increasing cyber risks and the rapid evolution of digital public services, Estonia is reinforcing the security, durability and adaptability of the documents that underpin its digital society: identity cards, residence permit cards, e-resident digital identity cards, diplomatic identity cards, certificates of AIP (Applicant for International Protection). Backed by Thales’ decades of expertise in secure identity technologies, the new programme introduces stronger protection against fraud, upgraded electronic features and the ability to respond quickly to emerging cybersecurity threats.

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At the heart of the programme is Estonia’s new national eID card, designed by Thales to blend strong physical protection with robust digital security. Its materials, visual features and advanced security techniques make the card instantly recognisable, easy to verify, and highly resistant to tampering or counterfeiting (including the use of translucent polycarbonate with transparent edges and multiple optical features).

Beyond physical security, Estonia’s new electronic identity documents benefit from upgradeable software. Should new cybersecurity risks emerge, already-issued cards can be remotely updated, ensuring citizens’ digital transactions remain protected over time without replacing the card itself. For end-users, the experience remains simple: the card works as their key to secure online services, digital signatures, banking, healthcare access, interactions with government portals, and even seamless travel through eGates at borders.

Behind the scenes, Thales ensures full operations from card issuance to lifecycle management, and guarantees that:

As a trusted leader in digital identity and cybersecurity, Thales provides a solution fully compliant with eIDAS (the European Union regulation governing electronic identification and eServices), providing citizens with the highest standards of security and interoperability, and seamless access to digital services across Europe.

Liis Valk, Head of Identity and Status Bureau Estonian Police and Border Guard Board commented :“Estonia’s digital ecosystem depends on the trust citizens place in their identity documents. With this new generation of eID cards, we are strengthening both physical and digital security while ensuring people can continue using our services with confidence. Thales’ expertise has enabled us to bring world-class security features to every citizen.”

“Estonia has long been a pioneer in digital identity, and we are proud to support the next chapter of this remarkable journey. These new cards combine advanced document design with strong cybersecurity foundations, ensuring resilience against emerging threats,” added Nathalie Gosset, VP Identity and Biometric Solutions, Thales. “Together, we are helping to build a secure, future-proof identity framework for all residents and citizens.”

1 Earlier this year, Estonia’s new-generation eID card has been awarded the “ Best New National eID Card ” at High Security Printing EMEA conference in Morocco.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.

© Reelika Riimand - Estonian Police and Border Guard Board

BERLIN (AP) — German authorities on Sunday issued a wanted notice for a fugitive suspect in the van ramming near Berlin’s Pride festival that left one person dead and injured at least 16 others.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz described what happened late Saturday evening as “an attack on our society.”

Police and prosecutors asked for help in finding the 21-year-old suspect, whom they identified as Abdul B. They said he is believed to have injured several people with a moving vehicle, and that one or more people apparently then left that vehicle. Several people were also apparently stabbed, they added.

Sunday’s notice warned the public to avoid “direct contact” with the suspect, saying that he may be armed and dangerous.

Police had said earlier that they had identified a suspect who has ties to Islamic groups in the German capital.

“The suspect is known to police. He is known to us as a member of Islamic circles here in Berlin, and our search for this person is proceeding at full speed,” police spokesperson Florian Nath said.

Nath added that investigators had no information on “his specific motives.”

According to police, a white van drove into the Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. and hit several people before colliding with a tree. The closing party at the Pride festival, known as Christopher Street Day, was ongoing nearby at the time, following a parade with some 80 trucks that had made its way through downtown Berlin earlier in the day.

Police said a woman was killed. Berlin's fire service said that three people sustained life-threatening injuries, another eight were seriously injured and five had slight injuries.

The Pride event next to the Brandenburg Gate was called off around 10:15 p.m. and a band’s performance on stage was interrupted. People were urged to go home and to avoid taking the route through the park.

“What an abhorrent act in Berlin,” Merz wrote in a post on X. He added that Germany loves freedom, “and we will preserve and defend that.”

Hundreds of thousands of people had come to Berlin to celebrate on Saturday, though it's unclear how many were still at the festival by late evening. It’s one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.

Julian Miethig, who had attended the party at the Brandenburg Gate, said he wanted to go to an afterparty when he heard from a friend that “something bad happened there and there are a lot of fire trucks, a lot of emergency vehicles, ambulances.”

“It’s a dark day for the community,” he said.

The van, with its battered front resting against a tree, could still be seen at the scene Sunday morning.

Associated Press writers Kirsten Grieshaber and Fanny Brodersen in Berlin contributed to this report.

Two people walk together past emergency vehicles in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Emergency personnel and police gather in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Emergency personnel and police gather in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Emergency personnel and police gather in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Two people embrace near others wearing thermal blankets as they stand near emergency personnel in Berlin, early Sunday, July 26, 2026, following the cancellation of Christopher Street Day festivities. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)