Part II: How do we get Europe digital?
Welcome to the second part of the blog series: "How do we get Europe digital?". In the first part of this series, we looked at eIDAS and the future of digital identities. In this article, I will now tell you about the eIDAS 2.0 regulation adopted in April 2024 and the planned EUDI wallet (European Digital Identity Wallet). Users are taking center stage, as they form the cornerstone for genuine digital communication between citizens, public administration and the private sector.
What's new with eIDAS 2.0?
With the eIDAS Regulation from 2014, something was created in Europe that no federation of states had ever achieved before: The legal standardization of cross-border electronic identification and other basic electronic services - the cornerstone for Europe-wide digitalization. This approach is now being consistently continued with the amendment.
One key aspect is the cross-border use of national electronic means of identification. A digital wallet that carries the electronic identity of citizens should be available from 2026. All member states will then be obliged to provide their citizens with a wallet and to recognize it among themselves. In addition to the electronic ID card, the digital wallet will also store digital driving licenses, passports, health data, diplomas, certificates and tickets. In addition, the digital identity will simplify registration with public authority portals and in parts of the private sector - and this will be possible throughout Europe, as users will be able to use digital services across borders with the so-called "EUDI wallet".
Although electronic identities are already in use across borders within the EU (eIDAS 1.0), they are only mandatory in the context of public administration. So far, there has been a lack of everyday relevance for use, such as in the private sector. In future, it should be possible to conveniently carry out payment approvals, banking matters, rental contracts, flight bookings, car rentals and much more digitally.
How is eIDAS implemented in the German context?
The Ministry of the Interior has launched a consultation process for the German wallet. Specifically, this means that experts and civil society will regularly provide feedback on the current status and the German government has launched a call for tenders to develop wallet prototypes. The first prototypes are expected to be available from the middle of next year.
However, citizens do not have to wait until the deadline in mid-2026 to be able to identify themselves securely online: The online ID card has been available for the German identification system for many years. It already solves identification problems at the highest level of security. Since the introduction of the online ID function, Governikus has been actively involved in shaping the German eID system and European interoperability in line with the eIDAS Regulation and already has eIDAS-compliant solutions.
The decision to transfer data lies with the citizens
There have been social reservations in the past, particularly in Germany, when it comes to data protection and security. The revision of the legal basis shows awareness of the concerns regarding the strict data protection regulation within the EU. Concrete solutions are needed to counteract them. Every citizen decides for themselves to whom and in what context personalized data is passed on. This is important information that, in my opinion, cannot be communicated openly enough. It is not up to the member states alone to decide in which cases citizens can use the eID.
A key aspect of success in the Scandinavian countries was early and clear communication of the benefits for citizens, companies and society as a whole. Such an awareness campaign would also help Germany in the course of digitalization.
What happens next?
As we at Governikus have been actively shaping European interoperability in line with the eIDAS Regulation since 2016 with the online ID card, we want to continue solving identification problems at the highest level of security for Europe in the future. We will be happy to keep you up to date in our blog until the deadline in mid-2026, when every EU member state must provide its citizens with a wallet.
Stay digital.