EUDI Wallet: Digital identity for Germany and Europe

What is the EUDI Wallet?

EUDI stands for European Digital Identity. The EUDI Wallet is a digital wallet for identities and credentials. It is available as a smartphone app and enables citizens and residents of the European Union to securely manage their personal identity data and digital credentials and to present them to public authorities, businesses or other organisations.

This initially includes personal identification data, known as PID (Person Identification Data). It also includes digital certificates, such as a driving licence, university diplomas or other certificates. In the future, the wallet is also set to support qualified electronic signatures, pseudonymous logins and other functions.

The key difference from a standard wallet app on a smartphone lies in the European Trust Framework. EUDI Wallets adhere to common technical and regulatory standards. This enables digital identities and credentials to be verified and used across borders. The European Commission describes the wallet accordingly as a secure and privacy-oriented means of digital identification in Europe.

Why is the EUDI Wallet being introduced?

Digital identities in Europe have so far been strongly national in character. Anyone wishing to verify their identity with a public authority, a bank or an online service in another EU Member State therefore frequently encounters differing procedures, technical requirements and levels of trust. The EUDI Wallet is intended to address this fragmented landscape by providing a common European framework.

In doing so, the EU is pursuing several objectives. Digital identities are to become easier to use across borders. At the same time, users will have greater control over which personal data they share. Another objective is to strengthen the European single market: if people can reliably identify themselves digitally across Europe, it will also be easier to offer digital services across national borders.

For Germany, there is an additional aspect: digital sovereignty. The Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation views the wallet as part of an open identity ecosystem designed to reduce dependence on individual non-European platforms.

Legal framework: eIDAS 2.0 and the EU Digital Identity Regulation

The legal basis for the EUDI Wallet is Regulation (EU) 2024/1183. It extends the existing eIDAS Regulation from 2014 to include the European framework for digital identities. The amended regulation is often referred to as eIDAS 2.0 or the EU Digital Identity Regulation.

The Regulation was adopted on 11 April 2024 and has been in force since 20 May 2024. It requires EU Member States to provide at least one EUDI Wallet within the specified European implementation deadlines.

eIDAS 2.0 also sets out requirements for security, interoperability, data protection and trust services. The specific technical details are further defined by European implementing acts and the Architecture and Reference Framework (ARF).

Germany supplements this directly applicable European legal framework with national regulations. In May 2026, the Federal Government adopted the draft Digital Identities Act (DIdG). It is intended to establish the national legal framework for the introduction and operation of the EUDI Wallet.

When will the EUDI Wallet be available?

Germany plans to launch the first version of the state-run EUDI Wallet in early 2027. The application is then to be gradually expanded to include further functions and certificates.

This means that the publicly communicated timetable has become more specific compared with earlier statements. Earlier publications had cited the end of 2026 as the target date for the roll-out of a wallet solution. The current German project plan now envisages the first phase of the government-issued wallet being launched in early 2027.

Technical preparations are already underway. A sandbox has been available since 2026, in which organisations can test real-world use cases. Initially, the focus was on personal identification data. Electronic attribute certificates are now also being tested there.

Alternative providers should also be able to have their wallet solutions certified and recognised as EUDI wallets in future. Germany is thus pursuing an open ecosystem approach.

Data, documents and digital proofs in the wallet

The EUDI Wallet can manage various types of digital information. Person Identification Data (PID) plays a key role. This includes basic identity details such as name and date of birth.

In addition, so-called Electronic Attestations of Attributes (EAA) are provided for. These confirm specific characteristics, qualifications or authorisations. Qualified Electronic Attribute Attestations (QEAA) are provided by qualified trust service providers and meet particularly high standards of reliability.

Possible forms of proof include, for example:

• identity card or digital identity data
• electronic residence permit
• Driving licence
• University and vocational training certificates
• Proof of eligibility and age
• Tickets and other digital certificates

Which documents are actually available depends on the respective issuer and the stage of development of the EUDI Wallet ecosystem. The first German version will initially focus on identification and digital documents. Further functions will be added gradually.

Privacy and security of the EUDI Wallet

Data protection and information security are among the key requirements for the EUDI Wallet. In line with the German architectural approach, personal data and supporting documents are stored locally on the smartphone and protected using cryptography. This is intended to prevent the centralised storage of personal wallet data or the creation of centralised profiles.

Added to this is controlled data disclosure. Registered relying parties must disclose the specific use case for which they wish to request data. Before any data is transferred, users can see who is requesting the information and for what purpose it is required.

The wallet must also meet the eIDAS ‘high’ level of assurance. To this end, the architecture provides for several security layers, including cryptographically protected keys and mechanisms for verifying device and wallet integrity.

These requirements are essential because, in future, the wallet will consolidate identity data and official documents. Its acceptance therefore depends to a considerable extent on how transparently data protection, technical security and user control are implemented.

Use cases and benefits of the EUDI Wallet

Potential areas of application range from administrative services to transport, education and financial services. The wallet can be used, for example, when carrying out digital administrative procedures, opening a bank account, signing a contract, checking into a hotel or presenting a driving licence.

Job application and education processes can also benefit. Verified vocational or higher education qualifications can be transmitted digitally and cryptographically verified. Companies will then need to rely less on scans or manually checked copies of documents.

The wallet is particularly useful in situations where there are currently gaps in the process. Identity details often have to be re-entered, identity documents photographed or supporting evidence uploaded. With the EUDI Wallet, verified data can be fed directly into a digital process from a trusted source.

For citizens, this also results in a process that minimises data collection. Instead of submitting a complete document, a single attribute may suffice, depending on the specific use case.

Difference between the EUDI Wallet, eID and the online ID function

The terms ‘EUDI Wallet’, ‘eID’ and ‘online ID function’ describe different levels of a digital identity infrastructure.

The eID is a person’s electronic identity. In Germany, in particular, the online identification function of the identity card or the electronic residence permit constitutes such a state-recognised electronic identity.

The online ID function already enables secure identification when accessing digital services. It meets a high eIDAS assurance level and thus forms an important foundation for the EUDI Wallet.

The EUDI Wallet goes a step further. It brings together digital identity data with other forms of proof and is designed to make these interoperable across Europe. Digital proof of identity thus becomes part of a larger ecosystem in which, for example, driving licences, school certificates or other documents can be stored and presented as required.

The existing identity card continues to play an important role in this context. To set up the German wallet’s ID function for the first time, a valid identity card or electronic residence permit with an activated online ID function is required.

Challenges and criticism of the EUDI Wallet

The EUDI Wallet is a comprehensive European infrastructure project. Its implementation is correspondingly challenging. Key challenges include uniform technical standards across Europe, reliable interoperability and broad acceptance amongst citizens, public authorities and the business community. Data protection concerns must also be addressed in a transparent manner.

Added to this is the task of establishing the ecosystem itself. A wallet only becomes truly useful once enough public authorities, businesses and other organisations are able to issue or accept digital credentials. Interfaces, registration processes and specialist procedures must be prepared for this.

Another practical challenge is the reliance on the smartphone. If the device is faulty or the battery is flat, the wallet is temporarily unavailable. Existing physical identity documents therefore remain usable. Furthermore, according to the current state of German architecture, an internet connection is required for the secure PID identity function.

Ultimately, the success of the EUDI Wallet will be measured by its suitability for everyday use. Security and regulatory compliance form the foundation. However, widespread adoption will only occur once digital identity processes function seamlessly and relevant services are effectively integrated.