What is the European digital identity wallet?

It is a mobile application provided for by eIDAS 2.0 that allows every citizen or company of the Union to store and present, under their control, their identity data and attestations (diplomas, age, mandates) to identify themselves online as well as at the counter.

When will the wallet be available?

Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 entered into force on 20 May 2024. Each Member State must then offer a compliant wallet within the timeframes provided for by the regulation, once the implementing acts are adopted. The rollout is progressive across the Union.

Is use of the wallet mandatory?

No. The wallet is provided free of charge and its use is optional for individuals. However, many services will have to accept it as a means of identification when strong authentication is required.

What is the difference with the eIDAS regulation itself?

The eIDAS 2.0 regulation sets the legal framework (electronic identity, trust services, signature). The wallet is its concrete tool on the user side. For the general framework, see our guide "Understanding eIDAS 2.0 regulation".

Can you sign a document with the wallet?

Yes. The wallet will be able to embed a qualified electronic signature certificate (QES), allowing signing with the highest legal value recognized throughout the Union.

Guide · eIDAS 2.0

The European digital identity wallet (EUDI Wallet)

Established by eIDAS 2.0 regulation (EU 2024/1183), the European digital identity wallet will enable each citizen and company in the Union to prove their identity and share attestations securely, under their own control.

Updated on 31 July 2026

eIDAS 2.0 regulatory framework

The European digital identity wallet (European Digital Identity Wallet, or EUDI Wallet) is created by regulation (EU) 2024/1183 of 11 April 2024, which revises the eIDAS regulation of 2014 (EU No 910/2014). This text, which entered into force on 20 May 2024, marks the transition from eIDAS to its so-called "eIDAS 2.0" version.

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Each Member State must offer its citizens and residents at least one compliant digital identity wallet, within the timeframes set by the regulation once the associated implementing acts are adopted.
The wallet is provided free of charge to natural persons and its use remains optional: no one can be forced to use it to access a service.
Large online platforms and many services (banking, telecommunications, public sector) must accept the wallet as a means of identification when strong user authentication is required.
Common technical specifications are defined in the Architecture Reference Framework (ARF), a reference framework that ensures interoperability of wallets between Member States.

Components involved

The "wallet" application installed on the user's smartphone, which stores and presents their credentials.

Personal identification data (PID, Person Identification Data) issued by the State: name, given names, date of birth, identifier.

Electronic attestations of attributes (EAA / QEAA): diplomas, permits, age, mandates, membership in an organization.

Qualified electronic signature and seal certificates, enabling signing with high legal value.

The register of registered relying parties authorized to request data from the wallet.

Strong authentication means (biometrics, code) protecting access to the wallet on the device.

Steps

1
Install and activate the wallet
The user downloads the wallet provided or certified by their Member State and activates it using a recognized electronic identification means.
2
Upload identity data (PID)
Personal identification data are provisioned in the wallet by the state issuer, constituting the verifiable basic identity.
3
Add attribute attestations
The user adds to the wallet attestations issued by qualified authorities or bodies (diploma, age proof, professional mandate).
4
Present and prove selectively
To a service, the user shares only the strictly necessary data (selective disclosure) and keeps a record of their sharing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the European digital identity wallet?: It is a mobile application provided for by eIDAS 2.0 that allows every citizen or company of the Union to store and present, under their control, their identity data and attestations (diplomas, age, mandates) to identify themselves online as well as at the counter.
When will the wallet be available?: Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 entered into force on 20 May 2024. Each Member State must then offer a compliant wallet within the timeframes provided for by the regulation, once the implementing acts are adopted. The rollout is progressive across the Union.
Is use of the wallet mandatory?: No. The wallet is provided free of charge and its use is optional for individuals. However, many services will have to accept it as a means of identification when strong authentication is required.
What is the difference with the eIDAS regulation itself?: The eIDAS 2.0 regulation sets the legal framework (electronic identity, trust services, signature). The wallet is its concrete tool on the user side. For the general framework, see our guide "Understanding eIDAS 2.0 regulation".
Can you sign a document with the wallet?: Yes. The wallet will be able to embed a qualified electronic signature certificate (QES), allowing signing with the highest legal value recognized throughout the Union.

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