A Single Wallet for all Europeans
A Tool for Identification and Trust
The Member States of the European Union, currently made up of 27 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, will be responsible for the implementation and adoption of this European digital wallet. It will be developed and provided either by these Member States or by certified private players such as Docaposte, Thales, or IDEMIA, all recognised for their expertise in digital identity. The wallet will enable European citizens to prove their identity online, share digital credentials and attestations (such as diplomas or proof of income), and use electronic signatures to validate documents or transactions. The European Commission is promoting a vision of interoperability among Member States by establishing a common framework, allowing each digital identity wallet to be recognised and accepted across all EU countries.
Romain SANTINI reminds us of the central objective of the European Digital Identity Wallet: “This is not just a simple digital wallet for storing bank or loyalty cards. Above all, it is a reliable tool of electronic identification, backed by a strict regulatory framework.” This framework, defined by the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, guarantees a high level of requirements in terms of security, sovereignty, and respect for privacy. It is precisely this regulatory rigour that helps to establish a relationship of trust between citizens, public services, and private actors, a necessary condition to encourage broad and lasting adoption of the system on a European scale.
Security & Privacy Protection at the Heart of the Project
Security is one of the most critical aspects of the European Digital Identity Wallet. “We must achieve a sufficient level of security to protect both citizens and the services that rely on this wallet,” the expert emphasised. While no system can ever be entirely invulnerable, the wallet is built on a “Privacy by Design” approach, which aims to limit the collection and sharing of personal information to what is strictly necessary. In practice, for example, a user wishing to prove their income to a bank will no longer need to share full payslips. Instead, they can provide a certified electronic statement simply confirming that their income exceeds a certain amount, without disclosing the exact amount or any other sensitive data.
Moreover, the possibility of using a pseudonym for certain uses is a development that helps to better protect personal data. For instance, a user will be able to prove their age or interact on an online platform using a pseudonymised user name, without revealing their full identity. By reducing the exposure of personal data, the wallet reinforces the control that each citizen can exercise over their digital identity.
An Ambitious Timeline for Large-Scale Adoption
The implementation of the European Wallet follows a strict regulatory timeline. Adopted in May 2024, the regulation sets out several key milestones. “By November 2026, each Member State must make a digital wallet available to its citizens. Then, by November 2027, major platforms and regulated services, including banks and digital platforms, will be required to accept it” explained Romain SANTINI.
This progressive adoption goes hand in hand with the establishment of common technical standards, aimed at ensuring that all digital wallets, regardless of the country that issues them, can operate together in a smooth and secure way. The ultimate goal is to create a digital environment where every European citizen can access services, make transactions, and prove their identity in a simple and secure way, regardless of their country of residence, nationality, type of service (public or private), or even the device used.
TRUSTECH Pay Conference by Romain SANTINI "A Single Wallet for all Europeans"