Understanding Digital Identity in the EU: eID, eIDAS, and the EUDI Wallet
This article serves as a reference point for further discussions on digital identity, authentication, and legitimisation in the EU.
Digital identity is becoming increasingly important in both personal and professional contexts. As the European Union strengthens its framework for secure digital identification, three key terms often come up: eID, eIDAS, and the EUDI Wallet.
This article serves as a foundational reference for understanding their roles, relationships, and impact on digital identity, authentication, and legitimisation.
1. eID (Electronic Identity)
eID stands for Electronic Identity, referring to a digital means of identifying oneself online. It is a national electronic identification system issued by an EU member state and used to authenticate individuals and businesses.
Key Characteristics:
Each EU country has its own eID system, such as:
- DigiD (Netherlands)
- Itsme (Belgium)
- eID (Germany)
- Used for secure login to government, banking, healthcare, and private sector services.
- Some national eID systems are notified under eIDAS, meaning they are recognised across the EU for cross-border authentication.
Role in Digital Identity:
- Enables individuals to prove who they are online.
- Reduces the need for multiple accounts and passwords.
- Forms the basis for more advanced digital identity solutions.
2. eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services)
eIDAS is the EU regulation (Regulation 910/2014) that provides a legal framework for digital identity and trust services across the European Union.
Key Characteristics:
- Ensures cross-border recognition of electronic identities.
- Defines standards for electronic signatures, digital seals, timestamps, and website authentication.
- Regulates qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) that issue digital certificates.
- Enables the legal use of digital signatures for contracts, government documents, and other transactions.
Role in Digital Identity:
- Establishes the legal foundation for secure online transactions.
- Enables businesses and individuals to use their national eID for services across the EU.
- Creates trust and security in digital interactions.
European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI)
The EUDI is the EU's framework for digital identity, and the EUDI Wallet is one of the key tools that implements this vision (introduced under eIDAS 2.0).
Key Characteristics:
- Functions as a digital identity wallet for EU citizens and businesses.
- Allows users to store and share verified credentials (e.g., eID, driver’s license, medical records, diplomas).
- Based on self-sovereign identity (SSI) principles, giving users control over their data.
- Can be used for both governmental and private sector services.
Role in Digital Identity:
- Aims to create a unified digital identity system across the EU.
- Provides a secure and interoperable way to verify identity online and offline.
- Reduces reliance on third-party authentication services (e.g., social logins from Google or Facebook).
Constantin-Catalin MIRICA
The Connection Between eID, eIDAS, and EUDI Wallet
- eID is a national digital identity used for authentication.
- eIDAS provides the legal framework ensuring interoperability and trust for eID and digital transactions across Europe.
- EUDI Wallet is an EU-wide solution under eIDAS 2.0, designed to integrate eID and other credentials into a secure, digital-first system.
Together, these three components aim to create a cohesive and secure digital identity ecosystem in Europe, with the goal of enabling individuals and businesses to verify their identities efficiently and safely in an increasingly digital world.
Rob Hoeijmakers
