The amended EU Regulation has been in force since 21 May 2024

… and now finally brings further trust services and – as an offer for all EU citizens – a free smartphone wallet with electronic ID and signature function.

Digital identity wallet becomes mandatory throughout the EU

One of the biggest and most important developments in the field of electronic identities (eID) and trust services in the coming year will undoubtedly be the new EU Digital Identity Wallet, or EUDIW for short, which will be introduced with the new eIDAS Regulation (eIDAS 2.0). The wallet can be installed on any smartphone. For the first time, EU citizens will be able to use it to show their legally binding proof of identification, such as a German ID card, or carry other documents, such as a driving licence, certificates, birth certificates, etc. on their smartphone and use them anywhere in the EU. A qualified electronic signature function will also be integrated.

In future, the wallet will not only simplify administrative procedures, but also other everyday matters such as opening a bank account. The EU Commission has made it clear that all functions of the wallet will be implemented in full compliance with data protection regulations and will be comprehensible and transparent for the user. All EU countries will be obliged to offer the EUDIW to their citizens.

Trust services will be expanded and the use of identification procedures will be facilitated

New trust services are defined in addition to those already known:

• the management of remote signature (seal) creation units (remote signing/sealing services)
• the archiving of electronic data and electronic documents
• the recording of electronic data in an electronic journal
• issuing and validating electronic attribute certificates

The latter is used for filling the EUDIW with verified and validated attributes/documents and for validating their use by citizens vis-à-vis third parties.

There are also changes in the area of identification for natural/legal persons that facilitate the use of identification procedures for trust services throughout the EU. Alternative identification procedures in accordance with Article 24 1 d) from eIDAS 1.0 no longer have to be recognised at national level. According to eIDAS 2.0, testing and certification by a conformity assessment body is sufficient to authorise the use of an identification procedure for issuing qualified certificates in every member state.

You would like to become a trust service provider and need an eIDAS 2.0 examination? Are you interested in booking an eIDAS 2.0 training course? Contact us via the contact form, we will be happy to support you!