X-Road is an open source data exchange layer solution that enables organizations to exchange information over the Internet. X-Road is a centrally managed distributed data exchange layer between information systems that provides a standardized and secure way to produce and consume services. X-Road ensures confidentiality, integrity and interoperability between data exchange parties.

X-Road is used nationwide in the Estonian data exchange layer X-tee and in the Suomi.fi Data Exchange Layer service in Finland. However, X-Road is not just for public sector organisations – all kinds of organisations regardless of size or type can join the national environments and exchange data with other member organisations.

Two X-Road ecosystems can be joined together, federated. Members of the federated ecosystems can publish and consume services with each other as if they were members of the same ecosystem. Federation enables easy and secure cross-border data exchange between member states using X-Road.

Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS) is a non-profit association founded jointly by Finland and Estonia. NIIS is responsible for the development and management of the X-Road core. X-Road is released under the MIT open source license and is available free of charge for any individual or organization.