What is the EU Digital Identity?
The EU digital identity is an initiative by the European Union (EU) to create a secure and standardized remote identification framework that EU citizens and businesses can use to identify themselves online, access public and private services, and carry out transactions across member states.
A digital identity is a virtual representation of a legal or natural entity containing their name and other identifying attributes along with their authentication credentials, such as biometric data or digital certificates.
Key principles
- Universal access: All EU citizens and businesses can obtain and use an EU digital identity. It can be accessed through digital identity wallets on mobile devices and other platforms.
- Interoperability: Digital identities are recognized across EU member states. Citizens and businesses can access public services and travel for work, study, or relocate more easily within the EU.
- Controlled access: Security and privacy are integral to the EU digital identity system. It gives users full control, allowing them to share only the data required for specific services.
The EU digital identity wallet
The EU digital identity wallet is an application that enables the secure sharing, storage, and management of personal data. It offers an easy way for EU citizens and businesses to prove their identities while accessing online services. Users can share important digital documents relating to themselves and electronically seal or sign them through the identity wallet app.
Applications for the EU digital identity
Accessing online services
EU digital identity streamlines access to government services, such as healthcare, and private services like banking and online shopping. It eliminates the need for lengthy registration processes and having to remember different passwords.
Digital signatures
It can also be used to provide digital signatures, simplifying the process of signing contracts and documents online. Digital signatures created with the EU digital identity are legally binding and recognized across all member states. Signed documents will be considered valid and enforceable throughout the EU.
Cross-border transactions
Users can conduct cross-border banking and financial transactions securely using their digital identities. They can shop online, access travel and relocation services, and apply to educational institutions across the EU using a single digital identity.
Benefits for citizens
- Provides easy offline and online identity management through the digital identity wallet app
- Offers a safe and simple method to control information sharing with services that require it
- Saves time and costs by allowing in-person tasks to be completed online
- Simplifies relocation within the EU, providing easy access to services in a new member state.
- Streamlines the storage and sharing of data provided by government authorities and trusted private agencies
- Serves as a means of confirming an individual’s right to live, work, or study in a certain member state
Benefits for businesses
- Offers a quick and secure way to verify client identities from any EU member state, reducing onboarding time and resources used.
- Strong authentication protocols ensure protection against fraud and unauthorized access.
- Ensures compliance with EU regulations, such as GDPR, eIDAS 2.0, and AML Directives.
- Lowers operational costs by reducing manual tasks associated with identity verification.
- Provides a uniform digital identity to seamlessly expand operations and serve customers across the EU.
- Offers access to a wider customer base through cross-border recognition.
- Improves customer trust and loyalty by offering a secure and easy digital experience.
Regulatory framework
The EU digital identity framework is supported by eIDAS 2.0, which sets the standards for electronic identification and trust services across the EU. It aims to strengthen the public’s trust in electronic services by mandating specific protocols to govern the use of the digital identities and identity wallets, such as user-controlled data sharing, interoperability across all member states, and the ability to choose whether or not to use identity wallets.