Which countries require mobile or digital IDs instead of physical passports in 2024?

1. Why the claim “digital IDs replace passports” spread — and what the evidence actually shows

Public discussion and reporting have conflated two different developments: the rollout of national digital ID programs for domestic and some cross‑border administrative services, and the legal requirements for international travel documents. Multiple analyses show that while 37 of 50 countries studied have digital ID schemes and many governments encourage smartphone use for identity verification domestically, those programs are typically linked to physical ID cards or used for online services rather than being legally mandated substitutes for passports ^{[5] [1]}. The Passport Index and other travel‑document trackers corroborate that passports remain the legal instrument for border crossing in 2024, with no authoritative source identifying any country that mandates a mobile‑only identity for international travel ^[4].

2. Concrete national examples that fuel confusion — digital IDs exist, but they’re supplementary

Several high‑profile systems are cited frequently: Denmark’s MitID, Estonia’s e‑ID, Singapore’s Singpass, South Korea’s Mobile Identification, UAE Pass, and India’s Aadhaar‑linked services. These platforms enable secure online access to government services, banking, and healthcare, and some allow citizens to present a verified digital credential for specific local interactions. However, the literature and official guidance indicate that these digital credentials are primarily optional or supplementary and are not recognized as replacements for passports at international borders in 2024; they expand convenience and authentication for domestic and certain cross‑border administrative tasks rather than alter international travel law ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

3. U.S. and EU developments clarify limits of mobile ID for travel

The United States offers the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app to expedite customs processing at selected ports of entry, but MPC explicitly does not replace a physical passport and is limited to certain preclearance and arrival procedures ^[6]. The European Union has been developing an eID Wallet to harmonize digital identity across member states with a target rollout by 2026, but as of 2024 the EU’s program remains a future implementation and does not render physical passports obsolete for travel between or outside member states ^{[2] [1]}. These government programs illustrate that digital ID can streamline processes without changing the legal status of passports.

4. Regional cross‑border ID projects show growth without legal substitution

Initiatives such as the Mercosur Digital Citizen scheme (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) enable citizens to use national digital IDs for cross‑border government services, showing practical expansion of digital recognition across neighboring states. Reports note increasing adoption — for example, over half of Brazil’s population stores a digital ID on a smartphone — yet these programs focus on administrative interoperability and do not constitute a passport replacement for international travel in 2024. The Mercosur example reveals how digital IDs can reduce friction for regional services while leaving passport law intact ^[3].

5. Bottom line and implications — adoption, standards, and future watch‑points

Evidence across the reviewed analyses demonstrates a clear pattern: digital IDs are proliferating and reshaping access to services, but no country mandates a mobile‑only identity in lieu of a physical passport in 2024. The major issues going forward are cybersecurity, privacy, and international standards for cross‑recognition; governments and vendors may have incentives to promote digital convenience, while civil society and privacy advocates emphasize safeguards. Observers should watch EU eID wallet rollout timelines and bilateral regional agreements for any legal shifts, but as of the latest reporting, passports remain the required travel document ^{[5] [1] [4] [3]}.