Panama Introduces Digital ID Cards for Expats
New technology will help permanent residents access information and services from the Panama government. A new system of digital ID cards and digital “wallets” is rolling out, which will make it easier to use a wide variety of online services, including healthcare, banking, and social services.
Essentially, the new system creates a digital version of the e-cédula card, the essential identification for foreign permanent residents. The Panamanian Tribunal Electoral, which is also responsible for issuing national ID cards, will oversee the rollout of the new digital IDs.
According to media coverage, the Tribunal has been working closely with several tech companies to improve its digital systems in recent years, including Mühlbauer Group and MasterCard. The digital ID allows users to store personal identification information on their smartphones and complete procedures online. To add security, the system will use advanced biometric verification for national ID holders.
The digital cédula system is reportedly in a soft-launch phase but will roll out to a wider audience in the months ahead. In its initial phase, the system will be accessible only on Android devices, but it is expected to expand to other platforms shortly, according to coverage on BiometricUpdate.com