UK Veterans Can Now Access Optional Digital ID Cards via Smartphone

The UK government has launched a digital identity card for military veterans, allowing about 1.8 million former service personnel to download the card to their smartphones. This digital ID is intended to make it easier for veterans to prove their status when accessing public services such as GP and mental health support, supported housing, careers advice, and discounts on museum entry and shopping. Physical veteran ID cards will still be issued, but the digital version is presented as a more convenient and secure option. Digital government minister Ian Murray emphasized that this rollout could serve as a ‘case study’ for the wider national digital ID scheme planned for 2029, which will be mandatory for employment. The veterans’ digital ID will also be the first credential stored in the government’s One Login smartphone app, with plans to add digital driving licences in the future. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall highlighted that the initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize public services, reduce bureaucracy, and make services more accessible. The government frames this first implementation as a way to demonstrate the privacy, security, and convenience of digital credentials to the public.