Digital ID is Coming to Right to Work Checks

What Holiday Parks Need to Know

The government has announced that digital ID will become mandatory for Right to Work (RTW) checks from July 2029, marking a significant shift in how employers across the UK verify their staff. If you're running or hiring for a holiday park, this change is well worth getting ahead of.

While individuals won’t need to carry an ID card, employers will be expected to use a digital system to check a person’s RTW status. And that includes seasonal, part-time, and short-notice recruitment - roles that are the lifeblood of many holiday parks.

Digital ID cards are coming to the UK in 2029

Don’t panic - there’s time to prepare for digital Id

July 2029 might feel a long way off, and it is. But this isn’t something to ignore. With the details of the new system still being finalised, now is a good time to start thinking about how digital ID could fit into your park's recruitment process.

Yes, there are still unknowns. What will the system look like? How will it handle staff without smartphones or reliable internet? How will data be protected? These are important questions, and we’ll keep a close eye and keep you posted as the answers emerge.

In the meantime, this is a chance to look at your current hiring setup and identify what could be made smoother, simpler, or more secure.

So, what does this mean for holiday parks?

1. Less paperwork, faster recruitment

Digital ID could help reduce the admin bottlenecks and paperwork that so often delay a candidate starting. When you’ve got a kitchen to reopen or a guest services team stretched thin, faster onboarding is a huge win for parks.

2. Fewer compliance headaches

Right to Work rules are complex, and mistakes are costly. A secure, digital ID process could help reduce the risk of human error and give holiday parks peace of mind that their checks are done right.

3. Supporting all types of workers

Of course, not every candidate will be comfortable with digital verification. You might be hiring teenagers for their first job or staff without access to the latest tech. You'll need to plan for inclusive support so no one is left behind.

What's the bigger picture?

Supporters of digital ID believe it will:

• Speed up hiring across the UK

• Make the job market more dynamic

• Help reduce fraud and illegal working

  
  

But there are important questions that still need answering too:

• How do we protect data privacy and prevent system breaches?

• Will some candidates be excluded if they can't use or access the system?

• Does this really stop illegal working, or just add another hoop?

  
  

What can park owners and operators do now?

1. Talk to your HR systems providers about how they’ll integrate digital ID checks. Check your processes and prepare to update your policies.

2. Make sure your hiring managers understand how to use the new system and what’s changing before it comes in to make the transition as smooth as possible.

3. Understand how it will affect applicants so you know what to expect and how you’ll support them if they need help once the changes take place.

4.The government is currently consulting on how to design this system. If you want the holiday park sector to be heard, now's the time to speak up.

This is a big shift for employers, but it doesn’t need to be a painful one. With implementation not due until 2029, there’s time to plan, prepare, and shape the system to work for parks as well as policy.

Handled with care, digital ID could mean faster, safer, and more reliable hiring for holiday parks. And when the admin is simpler, you’ve got more time to do what really matters: building teams that make holidays unforgettable.

Future-proof your team with the right people. Whether you need hands-on seasonal staff or experienced managers, we’re here to help you hire with confidence now and for what’s ahead. Get in touch via our partner page.