Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Digital ID QR Codes Gain Legal Standing for Alcohol Purchases
People in England and Wales may soon be able to prove they are old enough to buy alcohol with their phones.
They can use an app such as Yoti to check their identity.
The check might use a face scan or a secret PIN.
The app then creates a temporary QR code.
A pub or shop can scan the code to see whether the customer is old enough.
The code usually works for only about 30 seconds.
People can still use passports or driving licences, and businesses do not have to accept digital ID.
The government hopes the system could later be used for tobacco and vaping products too.
Pubs and shops in England and Wales may accept digital ID for alcohol purchases under changes to the Licensing Act.
Customers verify themselves through third-party apps such as Yoti, using a face scan or PIN.
The app then creates a QR-code token that typically remains valid for about 30 seconds.
Physical identification remains valid, and businesses can choose whether to adopt digital age checks.
The government is considering extending digital proof of age to tobacco and vaping products.
- Who
- Customers, licensed businesses, app developers, the UK government, and hospitality groups are involved.
- What
- Digital proof of age, including short-lived QR codes, can now be accepted for alcohol purchases.
- When
- The changes came into force on the day reported in the articles.
- Where
- England and Wales, including pubs, shops, restaurants, music venues, and festivals.
- Why
- The government says digital checks could make age verification more convenient and reduce the personal information customers need to share.
Supporters of Digital ID
Adoption and Privacy Concerns
Convenience and information sharing
Supporters of Digital ID
The government says customers could avoid carrying physical ID and sharing information such as their name or address merely to prove their age.
Adoption and Privacy Concerns
Some customers may continue relying on physical documents, and the benefits depend on businesses offering a simple and trusted system.
Business adoption
Supporters of Digital ID
Digital checks could give pubs and shops more flexibility, and some businesses may integrate them into tablets they already use.
Adoption and Privacy Concerns
UKHospitality says the rollout must remain affordable and avoid creating an additional burden, while the cost of adoption is still unclear.
Choice and access
Supporters of Digital ID
Supporters say customers will gain another way to prove their age, potentially using one interoperable app across businesses.
Adoption and Privacy Concerns
The government does not expect physical ID to disappear because abandoning it could exclude people who do not use digital ID; businesses can also decline to adopt the technology.
- Legal change
- Digital proof of age now has the same legal standing as physical ID for age-restricted alcohol sales.
- Verification process
- Customers may authenticate themselves with a face scan or PIN before receiving a digital token.
- QR-code validity
- The token, such as a QR code, is valid for around 30 seconds.
- Physical ID
- Driving licences and other physical documents remain valid.
- Business choice
- Businesses and individuals can decide whether to use or accept digital ID.
- Possible expansion
- The government is considering digital age checks for tobacco and vaping products.
- Industry concern
- UKHospitality supports the change but wants an affordable, straightforward, and cost-efficient rollout.