Is mDowod legally equal to my plastic ID card?

Yes, within Poland. Since 2023 it has the same legal validity at offices, banks, courts and clinics. It is not yet a substitute for a physical document when crossing borders outside Poland.

Who can use mObywatel and mDowod?

Polish citizens who hold a valid national ID card. The app is free on iOS and Android.

🇵🇱 Poland · Mobile eID / app

mObywatel

mObywatel (with mDowod digital ID)

mObywatel is Poland's free government mobile app and web service for digital documents and public services. Its mDowod feature is a legally valid digital identity document that, within Poland, carries the same legal force as the physical ID card since July 2023. The app also hosts a mobile driving licence and a qualified electronic signature.

What it does

Online authenticationIdentity verification / KYCQualified digital signaturesMobile credential (in person)Selective attribute sharing

Country:🇵🇱 Poland

Type:Mobile eID / app

Status:Live

Launched:2017

Issuer:Ministry of Digital Affairs (Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji)

Who can get it:Polish citizens holding a valid national ID card; some functions extend to residents

Format

Mobile appWeb service

Identity attributes

NamePESEL numberPhotoDate and place of birthDocument series and numberValidity

Authentication methods

Mobile appBiometricPINTrusted Profile loginBank login

Common use cases

Proving identity at offices, banks, courts and clinicsLogging into public e-servicesMobile driving licenceQualified electronic signature

Standards

eIDAS

Coverage

Around 10 million mObywatel users reported by the Ministry of Digital Affairs (2025)

Interoperability

mObywatel 3.0 (targeted 2026) is being built as Poland's EUDI Wallet aligned to eIDAS 2.0

Privacy and trust

mDowod data is held on the device and verified against state registers, with a dynamic security element to prevent screenshots and forgery.

Official source

https://www.gov.pl/web/mobywatel

mObywatel: frequently asked questions

Is mDowod legally equal to my plastic ID card?: Yes, within Poland. Since 2023 it has the same legal validity at offices, banks, courts and clinics. It is not yet a substitute for a physical document when crossing borders outside Poland.
Who can use mObywatel and mDowod?: Polish citizens who hold a valid national ID card. The app is free on iOS and Android.

Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. all Poland schemes · identity verification vendors