What is eIDAS 2.0? Guide to the EU Digital Identity Wallet

In 2014, the European Union introduced the eIDAS regulation (Electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services) with the aim of making digital transactions accessible and secure for all European citizens and to dictate the conditions for the cross-border recognition of electronic means of identification, often referred to as a digital ID.

Shortcomings of the Original eIDAS Regulation

In subsequent years, however, the objectives of the regulation have not been pursued and achieved in a homogeneous manner in the Member States: not all countries have notified at least one digital identity system to the Commission and only 59% of citizens residing in Europe have a digital ID. Moreover, cross-border recognition has not – in concrete terms – been as successful as hoped. This led to the need for an update: eIDAS 2.0.

What is eIDAS 2.0? Addressing the shortcomings

In 2021, the European Commission, while acknowledging the foundations laid by eIDAS for the development of a market for identification and trust services in the European Union, therefore noted the need to update it in order to achieve new strategic objectives. The update of the eIDAS 2.0 regulation aims, in particular, to:
– put personal data sovereignty back in the hands of citizens and ensure a level playing field in the use of trust services throughout the EU in line with the GDPR;
– counter the centralized management of information by large technology companies;
– promote the adoption of a secure and reliable European digital identity, as well as the increase of interoperability of trust services within the EU to contribute to the creation of a unified European digital market.

This will involve increasing standardization of the methods of providing trust services and using digital identities.

What’s New in eIDAS 2.0?

The revision process will conclude with the imminent publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of the revision of the eIDAS regulation which will introduce significant innovations. Among these, of fundamental importance are the introduction of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) and the creation of new trust services such as the electronic attestation of attributes, the remote management of qualified signature and a qualified electronic seal , electronic archiving and electronic registers.

The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) explained

With eIDAS 2.0, the EUDI Wallet is born, the European Digital Identity Wallet intended to be a digital identity accepted and valid throughout the EU. Functioning as a real digital “wallet” or EU digital wallet, it will allow users to collect and spend data relating to their identity and electronic attestations of attributes to third parties. The ambition is that every citizen will be able to use their EUDI Wallet anywhere in Europe to do anything, from paying taxes to renting a bicycle.

Electronic Archiving among Trust Services

In the current version of eIDAS, the concept of electronic archiving is limited to the preservation of qualified electronic signatures. With eIDAS 2.0, electronic archiving will be understood as a service that allows the receipt, preservation, consultation and cancellation of electronic data and electronic documents in order to guarantee their durability, readability, integrity, and provenance for the entire retention period and will finally become a trust service in its own right.

Impacts and opportunities of the eIDAS 2.0 regulation

The revision of eIDAS offers a unique opportunity for innovation and economic growth in the field of digital identities and will have a significant impact on various actors, including digital service providers, Qualified Trust Service Providers and European citizens. In conclusion, eIDAS 2.0 represents an important step forward in the unification and integration of trust services in Europe.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the EUDI Wallet?

The EUDI Wallet is a personal digital wallet that allows European citizens to securely store and share identity data and official documents (like a driver’s license) from their smartphone. It is designed to be recognized and accepted in all EU member states.

How does eIDAS 2.0 affect businesses?

eIDAS 2.0 streamlines digital onboarding processes, strengthens the security of online transactions, and enables businesses to offer services across the EU with a single, recognized form of digital identification. It creates new opportunities but also requires compliance with new standards for trust services.