EU Digital Identity Wallet

KEY POINTS

The European digital identity framework

The European digital identity framework includes the following three configurations.

• EU Digital Identity Wallet. All EU natural and legal persons will be able to securely identify themselves via a mobile device to access public and private services across Europe, while remaining in full control of their own data.
• Mutual recognition of national electronic identification schemes. Each Member State will accept electronic identification means from other Member States for cross-border authentication to access a public service.
• Trust services. These include a legal framework for services such as electronic signatures, seals and time stamps, along with a list of new trust services such as the management of remote qualified electronic signature creation devices, the management of remote qualified electronic seal creation devices, the issuance of qualified electronic attestation of attributes, qualified electronic archiving services and qualified electronic ledgers, ensuring transactions are safe, secure and reliable.

The EU Digital Identity Wallet

The EU Digital Identity Wallet is a means of electronic identification that allows the user to securely store, manage and validate person identification data and electronic attestations of attributes. Persons using the wallets in a personal capacity will have the ability to electronically sign with legal validity, free of any charge.

Its features include the following.

• Linking to national digital identities. Wallets can be linked to users’ national digital identities.
• Authentication. Users can authenticate online and offline, ensuring data is only shared selectively.
• Proof of personal attributes. Users can share digital documents, such as driving licences, travel documents, academic and vocational qualifications and bank account documents.
• Data control. Users can choose which aspects of their identity and data they share with third parties and manage (e.g. request, store, share or delete) their own data.
• Pseudonym generation. For added privacy, users can generate encrypted pseudonyms stored locally within the wallet.
• Secure connections. The wallet allows secure, direct data sharing and authentication with other EU Digital Identity Wallets.
• Transparency. Users can access a transaction log, view a common dashboard and utilise qualified electronic signatures.

Open source and security

For full transparency, the wallet’s application software is open-source licensed. While certain components may remain undisclosed for justified security reasons, this open-source approach aims to foster trust and innovation across the framework.

Safeguards and accessibility

• Voluntary use. The wallet remains entirely optional for all citizens, with robust protections against discrimination for those who choose not to use it.
• No hidden costs. The issuing of a wallet, its use and verification are free for individuals, with Member States covering validation costs to guarantee that the wallet remains accessible.
• Strict data processing limits. Data processing is designed to be limited to what is necessary for the wallet to function. No additional personal data can be accessed or stored by wallet providers.

Compliance and accountability

Rigorous standards for registration, monitoring and validation ensure that only verified entities use the wallet. Relying parties¹ offering services through the wallet will register within their Member State, upholding accountability and traceability.