UK Veterans Can Now Access Digital ID Cards on Smartphones
For the first time, military veterans in the UK can carry their identity in their pocket. Starting Friday, approximately 1.8 million former service members can download digital ID cards directly to their smartphones via the GOV.UK One Login app.
The move marks a significant step in the UK government’s digital transformation agenda. Using Face ID or Touch ID, veterans can securely store and verify their identity with ease.
The new digital cards are more than a virtual piece of plastic. They allow veterans to access GP services, mental health support, housing assistance, and career guidance. In addition, cardholders can enjoy discounts at shops and museums.
Initially, the digital IDs will only work for in-person verification, though online use is expected to expand over the coming months.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall commented on the launch: “We are modernizing our public services so they work around people’s lives and keep pace with the digital world we live in.
The digital veterans’ card will help remove barriers, reduce red tape, and make it easier for people to access the public services they need.”
The veteran digital ID is also a testbed for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s broader digital ID initiative.
VETERANS TO BE USED AS GUINEA PIGS FOR KEIR STARMERS DIGITAL ID
Veterans are able to download the new digital ID to a smartphone, ministers saying this can serve as a “case study” to show how the planned scheme for all British citizens and residents will work❗️@BBCNews pic.twitter.com/4QlE3ZPMEq
— BRITAIN IS BROKEN (@BROKENBRITAIN0) October 17, 2025
The government plans to make digital identification mandatory for all workers by 2029 to help prevent illegal employment, a move that has drawn criticism from some Labour MPs.
Digital Government Minister Ian Murray described the project as “probably a demonstration to the public by default” and added that it could help tackle “legitimate concerns around privacy and security” connected to the nationwide rollout.
Physical veteran ID cards will continue alongside the digital versions. The new system remains optional, giving veterans the choice to embrace digital verification at their own pace.
Digital driving licenses are expected to join the app before the end of 2025, according to local reports.
This digital ID initiative represents the first government credential available via the One Login app, laying the foundation for a comprehensive digital identification ecosystem across the UK.
Experts say it could reshape how citizens interact with public services, making access faster and more secure.
