European digital ID wallets piloted in Estonia and Luxembourg
The European Council and representatives of the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on the legislative framework that will enable the issuance and usage of the EU’s European Digital Identity Wallet that will let EU citizens store their national ID card, driver's license, and other digital credentials on their smartphone.
The European Council, in collaboration with representatives of the European Parliament, has achieved a significant milestone by reaching a provisional agreement on the comprehensive legislative framework that will pave the way for the introduction and adoption of the European Digital Identity Wallet within the European Union. This groundbreaking initiative is set to revolutionize the way EU citizens manage their personal identification, offering a secure and convenient solution for storing a range of essential digital credentials on their smartphones.
The European Digital Identity Wallet is poised to become a game-changer in the realm of digital identification. With this innovative system, EU citizens will have the capability to securely store not only their national ID cards but also their driver's licenses and various other digital credentials, all within the confines of their smartphones. This multifaceted approach to digital identity management promises not only enhanced convenience but also heightened security and privacy safeguards.
By forging this crucial agreement, the European Council and the European Parliament are demonstrating their commitment to staying at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring that the EU remains a trailblazer in the realm of digital identity solutions. The European Digital Identity Wallet holds the potential to streamline numerous aspects of daily life, from simplified authentication processes to smoother interactions with public services and online platforms.
As this legislative framework progresses and the European Digital Identity Wallet becomes a reality, it will undoubtedly empower EU citizens with a cutting-edge tool for managing their digital identities, setting a high standard for secure and convenient identification systems worldwide.
The wallet’s development aligns with the plans for a pan-European digital ID wallet (EUDIW) ecosystem that will comply with the European digital identity regulation (eIDAS), with the overarching goal being to have digital IDs implemented throughout the EU. The new eIDAS opens opportunities for Estonia’s digital IDs to be used not only nationally but across national borders, as well.
In June 2021, the Commission proposed a framework for a European digital identity that would be available to all EU citizens, residents, and businesses, via a European digital identity wallet.
The proposed new framework amends the 2014 regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS regulation), which laid the foundations for safely accessing public services and carrying out transactions online and across borders in the EU.
The wallet will be free to use for natural persons by default, but member states may provide for measures to ensure that the free-of-charge use is limited to non-professional purposes.
