Understanding the EU's Digital Identity Wallet: A Beginner's Guide

Understanding the EU Digital Identity Wallet: A Beginner's Guide

The European Union (EU) is making significant strides in the digital identity landscape with the launch of the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet. This ambitious project aims to create a secure, interoperable, and user-friendly digital identity ecosystem that will transform how citizens and businesses interact online across the EU.

The Vision Behind the EUDI Wallet

The EUDI Wallet is designed to provide users with a secure and convenient way to manage their digital identities. It will allow individuals to store and share verified identity information, such as passports, driver's licenses, and other official documents, digitally. This not only enhances security but also streamlines various online processes, from travel and healthcare to financial transactions and business interactions.

Key Players: APTITUDE and WE BUILD

Two major consortia, APTITUDE and WE BUILD, are at the forefront of developing and testing the EUDI Wallet. These consortia bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including EU member states, public authorities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and international digital identity experts.

APTITUDE Consortium

The APTITUDE Consortium is exploring a wide range of applications for the EUDI Wallet, from travel credentials to mobile vehicle registration certificates. Their focus is on demonstrating the interoperability, usability, and scalability of the wallet while actively promoting its benefits. This comprehensive approach ensures that the EUDI Wallet can be seamlessly integrated into various aspects of daily life.

WE BUILD Consortium

The WE BUILD Consortium, on the other hand, is concentrating on streamlining business and payment interactions. They are developing solutions for business-to-business (B2B), business-to-government (B2G), and business-to-consumer (B2C) domains. By improving the efficiency and security of these interactions, the WE BUILD Consortium aims to boost the digital economy in Europe.

Comprehensive Testing and Collaboration

A total of six Large Scale Pilot projects are testing the EUDI Wallet before its rollout to member states. Currently, two projects are active, while four have completed their work. These pilots involve more than 11 everyday use cases and over 550 private companies and public authorities across 26 EU member states, as well as Norway, Iceland, and Ukraine.

To support collaboration and technical alignment, the European Commission is hosting a targeted event in Brussels from 10 to 12 December. This three-day gathering will offer wallet developers and service providers from national teams the opportunity to conduct peer-to-peer interoperability tests with counterparts from other Member States. UX and accessibility specialists will also convene to discuss shared design guidelines, while communications experts will collaborate on rollout strategies.

Real-World Applications and Benefits

The EUDI Wallet has the potential to revolutionize various sectors. For example:

• Travel**: Secure and seamless cross-border travel using digital travel credentials.
• Healthcare**: Easy access to health records and prescriptions, improving patient care and privacy.
• Finance**: Faster and more secure financial transactions, reducing fraud and enhancing trust.
• Business**: Streamlined B2B and B2C interactions, boosting efficiency and economic growth.

The Role of Procivis

Procivis, a subsidiary of Orell Füssli, is a key player in the WE BUILD Consortium. Their eIDAS 2.0 compliant technology, Procivis One, is already production-ready and will be applied to use cases for businesses’ wallets and digital payments. Désirée Heutschi, Co-CEO of Procivis, emphasizes the significance of WE BUILD, stating, “WE BUILD is a milestone for the digital economy in Europe. We are looking forward to contributing with our production-ready, eIDAS 2.0 compliant technology Procivis One to enable an interoperable ecosystem for governments and businesses.”

The Bottom Line

The EU Digital Identity Wallet represents a significant step towards a more secure, efficient, and interconnected digital Europe. By leveraging the expertise of consortia like APTITUDE and WE BUILD, the EU is poised to create a digital identity ecosystem that benefits citizens, businesses, and governments alike. As the project progresses, the EUDI Wallet has the potential to set a global standard for digital identity management.