What is eIDAS 2.0 and Why It Matters for You

The European Union is making it easier and safer for people to prove who they are online. This is where eIDAS 2.0 comes in. It's the next version of the EU's digital identity rules, and it's changing how we use digital services across Europe.

What is eIDAS?

eIDAS stands for Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services. It's a regulation that started in 2014 to help EU countries recognize each other’s digital identity systems. It meant if your country had a trusted digital ID, other EU countries could accept it too.

But there was a catch: not all countries had to create a digital ID, and many did things differently. This led to confusion and inconsistency across borders.\

Enter eIDAS 2.0

eIDAS 2.0 is a major update that solves these problems. It makes digital identity more useful and widely available across the EU. The goal? To let anyone in the EU easily and securely prove their identity online, from accessing public services to signing documents and even making bank transactions.

At the heart of eIDAS 2.0 is the European Digital Identity Wallet, also known as the EUDI Wallet or BusinessWallet.\

What is the European Digital Identity Wallet?

Think of the EUDI Wallet(BusinessWallet) as a smartphone app that safely stores your digital identity and personal information. This can include your name, date of birth, driver’s license, diplomas, and even medical data, all under your control.

With the EUDI Wallet(BusinessWallet), you can:

• Log in to government websites and private services without remembering dozens of passwords.
• Sign documents electronically with legal value across the EU.
• Prove things about yourself (like your age) without sharing more data than needed.
• Use pseudonyms to stay private when full identity is not required.
• Move your data easily to another provider if you choose to switch wallets.\

Why It Matters

1. More Control: You decide what to share, with whom, and when. You can even see logs of past interactions and request data deletion.
2. Stronger Privacy: The system uses the latest technology to avoid tracking and limit what companies or governments can see.
3. Legal Certainty: Electronic signatures from your wallet are legally binding across all EU countries.
4. Wide Access: Available to all EU citizens, residents, and businesses who want to use it, and usable for both public and private services.
5. Security First: Wallets will be certified and regularly checked to make sure they meet strict EU standards.\

Who Will Provide These Wallets?

Wallets can be offered by public authorities or private companies, but they must be approved by EU Member States. This ensures they follow the same high standards no matter who builds them.\

When Is This Happening?

Work is already underway. EU countries and the European Commission are building a shared toolbox and running large-scale pilots. Over the next few years, the EUDI Wallets(BusinessWallet) will become available for everyday use across Europe.