PID is the abbreviation for Person Identification Data, i.e. personal identification data. It is the basic identity, issued by the State, which is loaded into the European digital identity wallet.

What data does the PID contain?

The PID contains at minimum the essential identity attributes: surname, first names, date of birth and a unique identifier assigned by the Member State, accompanied by issuance and validity metadata.

The PID is issued under the responsibility of each Member State, by an issuer it designates or recognizes, with a high level of assurance within the meaning of the eIDAS regulation.

Can one share only part of their identity?

Yes. The wallet enables selective disclosure: for example, you can prove that you are of legal age without sharing your exact date of birth or address. This is a core principle of eIDAS 2.0.

How does the PID differ from an attribute attestation?

The PID is the basic identity issued by the State. Electronic Attribute Attestations (EAA/QEAA) are supplementary credentials (diploma, age, mandate) issued by other authorities and added to the same wallet.

Guide · eIDAS 2.0

Personal identification data (PID) in the European wallet

PID (Person Identification Data) constitutes the basic digital identity issued by the State in the European wallet: it is the verifiable foundation on which all other uses rely.

Updated on July 31, 2026

eIDAS 2.0 regulatory framework

Personal identification data (PID) are provided for by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2.0). They correspond to the minimum set of data allowing the identity of a natural or legal person to be established, issued and guaranteed by a Member State.

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PID is issued by an issuer under the Member State's responsibility, with a "high" level of assurance within the meaning of eIDAS assurance levels.
The wallet must enable selective disclosure: the user only shares the attributes strictly necessary for the transaction (for example, proving majority without revealing the exact date of birth).
The regulation requires that data sharing remains under the user's control, with traceability of disclosures and no profiling by the wallet provider.
The format and content of PID are harmonized at European level via the Architecture Reference Framework (ARF), guaranteeing cross-border recognition.

Affected components

Basic identity attributes: surname, given names, date of birth.

A unique identifier assigned by the issuing Member State, compliant with eIDAS requirements.

Issuance metadata: issuing authority, date of issuance and expiry.

The cryptographic proof linking the PID to the wallet and its holder.

Revocation mechanisms allowing invalidation of a compromised or expired PID.

The disclosure log kept by the user in their wallet.

Steps

1
Request PID issuance
After wallet activation, the user requests provisioning of their PID from the issuer designated by their Member State.
2
Initial identity verification
The issuer verifies the person's identity with a high level of assurance, relying on recognized means (identity document, existing electronic identity).
3
Provisioning in the wallet
The PID is loaded securely into the wallet, cryptographically linked to the device and the holder.
4
Selective presentation to services
During a transaction, the user presents all or part of their PID; the service verifies authenticity without having to contact the issuer for each check.

Frequently asked questions

What does PID mean?: PID is the abbreviation for Person Identification Data, i.e. personal identification data. It is the basic identity, issued by the State, which is loaded into the European digital identity wallet.
What data does the PID contain?: The PID contains at minimum the essential identity attributes: surname, first names, date of birth and a unique identifier assigned by the Member State, accompanied by issuance and validity metadata.
Who issues the PID?: The PID is issued under the responsibility of each Member State, by an issuer it designates or recognizes, with a high level of assurance within the meaning of the eIDAS regulation.
Can one share only part of their identity?: Yes. The wallet enables selective disclosure: for example, you can prove that you are of legal age without sharing your exact date of birth or address. This is a core principle of eIDAS 2.0.
How does the PID differ from an attribute attestation?: The PID is the basic identity issued by the State. Electronic Attribute Attestations (EAA/QEAA) are supplementary credentials (diploma, age, mandate) issued by other authorities and added to the same wallet.

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