Since April 2025, Spanish citizens can now carry their national ID on their smartphone thanks to the new official app, MiDNI. This app marks another step forward in the digitalization of identification services in Spain, with a clear focus on security, convenience, and efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the new mobile digital ID: what it is, how it works, how to set it up, and what it means for industries like hospitality.
1. What is the digital ID?
The digital ID is an official and legally valid version of the Spanish National ID (DNI) that you can carry on your smartphone through the MiDNI app, developed by the Spanish National Police and the Ministry of the Interior.
This app securely stores your ID data on your phone, protected by biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition) and a personal PIN. It’s not a photo or a scanned copy—it’s a fully legal digital version of your ID.
2. Benefits of using the digital ID
- Quick, contactless identification at offices, hotels, airports, etc.
- Secure access to online services without needing a card reader.
- Portability: no need to carry the physical document.
- Privacy: only share the necessary information for each situation.
- Future integration with other documents (driver’s license, passport…).
3. How to activate your Spanish digital ID step by step
- Register your ID with the Spanish National Police to link your identity to your smartphone. You have 3 options:
- In person by scheduling an appointment at any police station or ID documentation unit, where staff will activate it for you.
- In person without an appointment at any police station or ID documentation unit using a Document Update Point (PAD), a self-service kiosk similar to an ATM.
- Online through the official MiDNI website, using your physical ID and a compatible card reader.
- Download the MiDNI app from Google Play or the App Store (make sure not to confuse it with the Tax Agency’s “mi DNI” app).
- Open the app and accept the necessary permissions.
- Enter your activation details (ID/DNI number and “número de soporte” or support number).
- Create your password to access the app. You can also enable biometric access (fingerprint or face), like with many other apps.
- Receive a security code via SMS and enter it.
- That’s it! Your app is now activated, and you can start using your digital ID.
4. Uses and limitations of the digital ID
You can use the digital ID in many situations, including:
- Hotel check-in and accommodation registration.
- Government procedures (Tax Agency, Social Security, etc.).
- Transactions at shops.
- Identity verification in banking or insurance apps.
- Accessing healthcare or educational services.
However, there are some limitations with this first version. For now, it’s not valid for use outside of Spain or for international travel.
Also, during the first year, entities are not required to accept the digital ID, so it’s a good idea to carry your physical document until it becomes more widely adopted.
The ID is used through a QR code in the app, offering three options for sharing your identity data. See how the app works in this video:
5. What it means for the hospitality industry
The introduction of the digital ID opens up new opportunities to automate check-in processes and enhance the guest experience in hotels and vacation rentals. Here’s what you need to know:
For hospitality professionals
- The National Police has approved the app as an official identification method, so it is legal to register guests using the digital ID.
- You can accept the digital ID as a valid document, but must still collect the data required by law.
- You must continue to comply with guest registration regulations, securely storing and submitting the necessary data to authorities within the legal timeframe.
For hotel guests
- Guests can identify themselves using their smartphone, with no need to show the physical ID.
- The process is faster, more secure, and contactless.
- Guests must have their digital ID activated in the app beforehand, as explained in section 3.
Conclusion
The new Spanish mobile digital ID is a major step forward in streamlining procedures and offers more flexibility and convenience for citizens.
For hotels, it’s a great opportunity to speed up operations and improve the guest experience—always within the legal framework.
Want to adapt your hotel’s check-in process to support digital ID? At Civitfun, we can help you automate everything in a secure, legal, and easy way. Contact us and we’ll guide you through the next step in the digital transformation of your hotel.
