If someone finds a lost document on the street (such as a passport, ID card, or driver's license), they must take it to the police. The police say that the document will then lose its validity.
The police explain that a lost document is not safe. Someone could use it for fraudulent purposes. The document contains a chip that can be used for digital signatures. If the document is lost, someone could misuse it.
If you lose your wallet along with the document, it is even more dangerous. Someone could use your document and PIN codes. Even if the PIN codes are not with it, someone could take a picture of the document and use that picture.
If a document loses its validity, you must apply for a new one. In the case of a residence permit, you do not need to apply for a new permit, but rather a new document. You can also use digital identity verification in the Estonian app.
Last year, the police found 186 cases where someone used another person's document. Such cases are dangerous. The police recommend being cautious and immediately handing over lost documents to the police.