Digital Identity for all EuropeansA personal digital wallet for EU citizens, businesses and residents The EU Digital Identity (eID) Wallet is Europe’s answer to the challenges of identification. It will enable users to access online and offline public and private services, store and share digital documents, and create binding signatures.Member States will make wallets available to every citizen, resident and business by the end of 2026. Benefits The European Digital Identity Wallet has numerous benefits, such aseasier access to public and private services for citizenspersonal data is protected as users share only what is necessaryimproved cybersecurity thanks to strong security standardsenhanced fraud prevention for public administration and businessesless administration and lower cost of customer authentication for businesseseveryone can use digital services thanks to a secure electronic access Why is it needed? Public and private sector services are increasingly offered online, creating a growing need for secure digital authentication. At the same time, threats to digital privacy have become apparent, with people increasingly worried about profiling and surveillance.The EU Digital Identity Framework is the answer. It is based on the principle that everyone should always control their digital identity. EU Digital Identity Wallets are the means to achieve this goal.Citizens should be able to carry their digital identity with them across the EU, moving seamlessly across borders without ever losing control of their data, with privacy and security at the heart of the project. Key principles Available to any EU citizen, resident, and business who wants to use itCan be used widely to prove identity or to confirm certain personal attributes when accessing digital services across the EUGiving full control to users in choosing what to share, and keeping track of it Practical use The wallet allows you toAuthenticateProve your identity with more services while protecting your privacy.StoreSecurely store various documents in your wallet - everything from a train ticket to a university diploma.ShareShare stored documents from your wallet. For example, provide a copy of your credentials to a potential employer.SignQuickly and easily make legally binding e-signatures with your wallet. Practical examples of how the wallet can be usedYou will be able to use these features in many daily life situations, including accessing government services, such as applying for a passport or driver's license, filing taxes, or accessing social security information.opening a bank account: Prove your identity online without repeating your personal information.SIM registration: Prove your identity when getting a SIM card, reducing fraud and costs for mobile network operators.mobile driving license: Store and show your digital driving license both online and in person.signing contracts: Sign documents online, without the need for paper documents and physical signatures.claiming prescriptions: Share prescription details with a pharmacy to get your medication. Travelling: Present information from travel documents (e.g. passport, visa), allowing for faster access through airport security and customs.organisational digital identities: Prove you are a legitimate representative of an organisation or a company.payments: Confirm your identity when making online payments.education certificates: Show your diplomas, degrees, and certificates when applying for jobs or further education.accessing social security benefits: Securely access your social security information and benefits, and store documents such as the European Health Insurance Card. Using the EU Digital Identity: applying for a bank loanApplying for a bank loan is a process that typically includes numerous steps, from setting up appointments and having physical meetings, to collecting and signing all the paper documents - and repeating the operation if documents are missing. By using the EU Digital Identity, the user only has to select the necessary documents that are stored locally on his digital wallet to reply to the bank’s request. Then, verifiable digital documents are created and sent securely for verification to the bank, who can then continue with the application process. Making things easier for citizens and businesses The following identification and trust services can already be used with legal effect across the EU thanks to the trust framework created by the eIDAS Regulation. They are key tools to enable trust and security in the Digital Single Market. Some services, like eSignatures, will be integrated into the wallet to facilitate their use. CitizensBusinesses eSignatureExpression in an electronic format of a person’s agreement to the content of a document. The function will be integrated into the wallet.Will help me to sign legal documents and email without printing any paperWill reduce costs and time through streamlined processes and help innovate business procedures eTimestampElectronic proof that a set of data existed at a specific timeWill give me proof that I have bought my concert ticketsWill enhance document tracking and achieve greater accountability eIDA way for businesses and consumers to prove their identity electronicallyWill allow me to open a bank account in another country with my national IDWill expand my customer base, save costs and time, and build trust in cross-border transactions Qualified Web Authentication CertificateEnsure websites are trustworthy and reliableWill let me know that the websites and apps I like using are trusted and safeWill increase consumer trust and help avoid phishing, protecting the reputation of my business eSealGuarantee both the origin and the integrity of a documentWill guarantee that the football tickets are real and are not counterfeitWill reduce costs and time through streamlined processes and promote trust in the origin of the document Electronic Registered Delivery ServiceProtects against the risk of loss, theft, damage or alterations when sending documentationWill guarantee that my son’s birthday present arrives safelyWill reduce time and cost in document exchange, increase efficiency and trust and improve document tracking Technical specifications Every Member State will need to provide its citizens with at least one EUDI wallet. To ensure that the wallet is usable wherever a person is in the EU, every country must follow the same standards and specifications. This guarantees interoperability. The rules for the EU Digital Identity Wallet system are set out in the Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF). It specifies the standards, protocols, and formats of information exchanges between issuers, wallets, and service providers.The EU Digital Identity Wallet Reference Implementation helps EU countries and stakeholders to build their own wallets. It consists of open-source code libraries, modular components, and a fully functioning reference application based on the ARF.Learn more about technical specifications Large scale pilot projects Large scale pilot projects are testing how the EU Digital Identity Wallets functions in a wide range of situations, before it is launched across the EU. Over 350 companies and public authorities across 26 Member States and Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine, are participating. The first group of pilot projects started on 1 April 2023. A second phase will begin later in 2025. Documents On this page you will find documents related to Europen Digital Identity.
Public and private sector services are increasingly offered online, creating a growing need for secure digital authentication. At the same time, threats to digital privacy have become apparent, with people increasingly worried about profiling and surveillance.The EU Digital Identity Framework is the answer. It is based on the principle that everyone should always control their digital identity. EU Digital Identity Wallets are the means to achieve this goal.Citizens should be able to carry their digital identity with them across the EU, moving seamlessly across borders without ever losing control of their data, with privacy and security at the heart of the project.
