With 335 votes in favor, the European Parliament approved the new European Digital Identity Framework (eIDAS 2.0), a significant step forward for providing EU citizens with cross border digital access to key online services, both public and private. The new regulation will allow citizens to identify themselves online in a secure way, enhancing privacy and personal control on users’ data. A key highlight of eIDAS2 framework is the introduction of the  EU Digital Identity Wallets (EUDI Wallets), accessible and free of charge wallets that shall be provided by all European countries.

EUDI Wallet in a nutshell

EUDI wallets will be available for users on a voluntary basis and will contain documents and information technically known as “attested attributes”. These attributes, like for example digital driver’s licenses, will be produced by entities in both the public and private sectors and can be imported into the wallet according to users’ needs. Furthermore, via a dedicated dashboard, EUDI Wallet will give users the possibility to decide what information should be shared with whom and exercise privacy rights such as the right to be forgotten and the right to data portability, according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Also, the new European Digital Identity Framework aims to strengthen interoperability across EU Member States. All European citizens will be able to use their EUDI Wallet in any European country. Thus, for example, using her digital wallet an Italian citizen can access digital services in Norway, Latvia, Germany, and potentially anywhere within European borders. In doing so, eIDAS2 aims to promote an even more inclusive digital society, providing a robust framework to balance citizens’ rights and digital innovation.

What is happening now?

After the final green light given by the EU Parliament with 335 votes to 190, with 31 abstentions, the Regulation will now have to be formally endorsed by the EU Council of Ministers to become law. After the latter stage, eIDAS2 will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and then it will come into force.

By 6 months from the date of entry into force of the Regulation, the Commission shall, publish its implementing acts, establishing a list of reference standards and, where necessary, specifications and procedures for the EUDI Wallets. Each Member State will then need to provide at least one European Digital Identity Wallet within 24 months of the date of entry into force of the implementing acts.