Royal Decree 1553/2005 of 23 December 2005, which regulates the issue of the national identity document and its electronic signature certificates, allows Spanish citizens to use the national document of identity identification in person and virtual form, making it possible for your holders to digitally sign electronic documents with the same legal validity as the handwritten signature made on paper.

The incorporation of the authentication and signature certificates into the national identity document makes this document a recognized electronic certificate, through which secure instruments are generated electronic communication providing the same integrity, authenticity and validity as the one obtained by physical means.

The fact of incorporating electronic certificates means that, as far as these certificates are concerned, the national identity document must conform to the general principles of Law 59/2003, of 19 December, of signature electronic, in which an express reference is made to the maximum period of validity of the electronic certificates and, consequently, those incorporating the national identity document.

In this respect, pursuant to the provisions of the Sixth Final provision of Law 9/2014 of 9 May, General Telecommunications, a change has been introduced in Law 59/2003 of 19 December, which has been an extension of the the term of validity of the electronic certificates, which have gone from a maximum validity of four years to five years.

The current state of technology makes it possible to guarantee the integrity of electronic certificates, even by extending the term of their validity. However, from the present 30 months to the 60 months that are foreseen with the DNI 3.0, it represents a great advantage for the citizens themselves since, in many cases, they will coincide with the expiry of the certificates with that of the national document. of physical identity, reducing by half the time they have to move to an office for the renewal of the certificates.

In its virtue, on the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, in agreement with the Council of State and after deliberation of the Council of Ministers, at its meeting of May 29, 2015,

DISPONGO:

Single item. Amendment of Royal Decree 1553/2005 of 23 December 2005 governing the issue of the national identity document and its electronic signature certificates.

The first paragraph of Article 12.1 of Royal Decree 1553/2005 of 23 December 2005 governing the issue of the national identity document and its electronic signature certificates is amended, which is worded as follows: follows:

" 1. Irrespective of the provisions of Article 6.1 on the validity of the national identity document, the validity of the recognised electronic certificates incorporated therein shall not exceed five years. "

Single end disposition. Entry into force.

This royal decree will enter into force on the day following its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Given in Madrid, 29 May 2015.

FELIPE R.

The Minister of the Interior,

JORGE FERNANDEZ DIAZ