Postal Services and QR Readers for Digital ID at 2026 Electoral Polling Stations: Rate of 28.07 € per Polling Station

Key data

As of October 29, 2026, Correos has a new public service obligation in the electoral field: to deliver and collect QR code readers compatible with the MiDNI application at each electoral polling station in the elections called during 2026. This modification is imposed by the Order PJC/1129/2026, which updates the Agreement of the Council of Ministers of December 2, 2025 on electoral postal service obligations.

The trigger is twofold: the entry into force of the Royal Decree 255/2025 on the digital ID and the Agreement 94/2026 of the Central Electoral Board, which requires sufficient guarantees for identity verification through MiDNI in the elections. Without QR readers, polling stations could not reliably validate this document.

What does this regulation establish?

Order PJC/1129/2026 modifies the December 2025 Agreement to expressly include the distribution of QR code readers compatible with MiDNI as a public service obligation charged to Correos. The specific changes are:

• Correos must deliver and collect the QR reader devices at each electoral polling station.
• The operation requires coordination with municipalities, Government delegations and the Ministry of Interior.
• A traceability system is established for device control.
• The maximum rate for this new service is set at 28.0667 € per polling station.
• The electoral postal service rate schedule is also updated, including the following modalities:

The regulation does not repeal the previous December 2025 agreement, but rather modifies and expands it to accommodate the new digital ID reality. The remaining pre-existing electoral postal obligations are maintained, with rates updated in the new schedule.

Economic and operational impact

The direct economic impact falls on the State electoral budget, since the rate of 28.0667 € per polling station is the maximum amount Correos can charge for this service. The more electoral polling stations a call has, the higher the total cost of this item.

From an operational standpoint, Correos must articulate a specific logistics chain: device reception, distribution to each polling station, collection after the voting day and return with documented traceability. This involves:

• Prior coordination with municipalities to identify locations and schedules.
• Coordination with Government delegations for territorial management.
• Coordination with the Ministry of Interior as responsible for the electoral process.
• Implementation of a traceability system that guarantees control of each device.

The update of the remaining electoral postal rates (national postal voting, CERA, temporarily absent and electoral propaganda) also has budgetary impact in each call, although the regulation does not publish the specific figures for those updated rates beyond the new 28.0667 € service.

Who does it affect?

• Correos: assumes the new public service obligation to distribute and collect QR readers, with the corresponding logistical and operational impact.
• Ministry of Interior: responsible for overall coordination of the electoral process and ensuring devices are available on time.
• Municipalities: must coordinate with Correos for delivery and collection of readers at their electoral polling stations.
• Government delegations: act as territorial liaison in coordinating distribution.
• Electoral polling stations: will receive the devices and must use them to verify the identity of voters presenting the digital ID through MiDNI.
• Voters using MiDNI: will be able to identify themselves with the digital ID at any polling station equipped with the QR reader.

Practical example

Imagine regional elections called in 2026 with 5,000 electoral polling stations across the affected territory. Applying the maximum rate set of 28.0667 € per polling station, the total cost of distribution and collection of QR readers for that call would be:

5,000 polling stations × 28.0667 € = 140,333.50 €

This amount is charged to the electoral budget and is the ceiling that Correos can invoice for this specific service. To this would be added the updated rates for the remaining electoral postal services (postal voting, CERA, propaganda, etc.).

From a municipality's practical standpoint, the implication is that it must confirm to Correos the delivery points and schedules with sufficient advance notice so that logistics work smoothly on voting day.

What should organizations do now?

1. Municipalities: identify the number of their own electoral polling stations and establish contact with the Government delegation and Correos to plan the logistics of delivery and collection of QR readers with sufficient advance notice.
2. Government delegations: activate territorial coordination protocols with Correos and municipalities in their area to ensure coverage of all polling stations.
3. Correos (electoral business units): review the new rate schedule, update existing electoral postal service contracts and implement the required traceability system for QR reader devices.
4. Ministry of Interior: ensure the supply of QR reader devices compatible with MiDNI with sufficient time for Correos to fulfill its distribution obligation.
5. Electoral polling stations: familiarize themselves with the operation of the QR reader and the verification process through MiDNI before voting day.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22610