A coding mistake which will not allow ID cards to be used with the latest version of Google Chrome, from six months time, also affects over 5,000 e-residency cards issued to date.

The mistake affects around 250,000 ID cards issued between September 2014 and September 2015.

“The bolts were tightened so that a few hundred thousand Estonian ID cards, digital identifications, and yes, also e-residency cards will no longer be able to go through Chrome's strict security conditions and one can no longer log in,” Estonian Information System Authority (RIA) analyst Anto Veldre told Postimees.

RIA is currently creating software to allow people to use the cards in Google Chrome, although Google has postponed the changes for six months and cards can be used during that period. ID cards can still be used in all other browsers.

Estonia started e-residency program last December, first of its kind in the world.

The scheme is available to anyone around the world interested in establishing and administering a location-independent business online. The idea is that e-residents can register a company in Estonia online, perform e-banking transactions, access international payment service providers, declare taxes online, manage a company remotely, and digitally sign documents and contracts.

This will gain access to a government-issued secure digital identity that gives foreigners the opportunity to use e-services, which traditionally have been open only to local residents.

Well-known e-residents of Estonia, who have already signed up, include British journalist Edward Lucas, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the head of Swedbank, Michael Wolf.