Whether you want to hire a car, apply for benefits or take out insurance, you are often asked to provide a wide range of information and supporting documents. These processes can be time-consuming and cumbersome, requiring you to gather documents from multiple sources. In future, they will become faster, more secure and more privacy-friendly.
The legal basis for this is the eIDAS Regulation. Revised in May 2024, the eIDAS Regulation plays a key role in Europe’s digital transformation. It builds on existing digital identity technologies while introducing higher standards for usability, security and reliability. Under this regulation, citizens will be able to access online services and share data digitally through an EU Digital Identity wallet, or EUDI wallet.
What is an EUDI wallet?
An EUDI wallet is a digital tool, usually an app on your smartphone. It allows you to securely identify yourself online, sign in to services and share personal information across Europe. The wallet provides access to online services from both public and private organisations and enables you to create electronic signatures.
The wallet can store a range of personal information. This includes personal details from the Personal Records Database (BRP), such as your name and date of birth. Over time, you will also be able to store other types of information, such as educational details.
Benefits for citizens and entrepreneurs
This new way of digitally interacting with organisations offers greater control, security and ease of use for citizens and service providers.
Control over your data
As a user, you maintain control over your data. You decide what information to keep, when to use it, and with whom to share it. This allows you to prevent sharing more details than needed for a service. For instance, to provide proof of residence, you only need to share the name of the city you live in, rather than the entire address.
Ease of use
An EUDI wallet makes everyday processes much simpler. Tasks that currently require paper documents can be completed digitally. Take renting a home, for example. At present, you need to gather and submit a range of documents separately. In future, you will be able to share the necessary information securely and digitally via your EUDI wallet, minimising the disclosure of information and reducing unnecessary paperwork.
A wide range of applications is currently being tested through large-scale European pilot projects. These include digitally signing contracts, hiring a car using a digital driving licence, and verifying professional qualifications. Which services ultimately become available will depend on which providers choose to offer them through the wallet.
For service providers, EUDI wallets make it easier to verify customers’ identities and deliver services. They can reduce administrative work, receive reliable information directly from official sources, and minimise the risk of errors.
Once EUDI wallets become available, public and semi-public service providers will be required to accept them for login from the end of 2026. Private service providers will be subject to the same requirement from the end of 2027. However, for citizens, using an EUDI wallet will remain entirely voluntary.
Use remains voluntary
Using the EUDI Wallet is optional. If you prefer not to use it or are unable to, you can still access existing services from governments and other providers through traditional methods. The EUDI Wallet is simply an additional option and is not intended to replace the current choices available.
Secure use across Europe
The European Digital Identity Framework ensures the EUDI wallet’s interoperability across all EU member states. This applies to government services, major online platforms and commercial services that require a high level of security. The eIDAS Regulation requires both EUDI wallets and the wider ecosystem that supports them to meet strict privacy and security standards throughout Europe. As a result, users can be confident that EUDI wallets provide a safe and secure way to access services across the EU.
Public NL Wallet
Under the revised eIDAS Regulation, every EU Member State must make at least one certified EUDI wallet available by the end of 2026. This wallet must be provided free of charge to citizens. The Dutch government is developing a national version: the Public NL Wallet. It is currently under development and will become available once the necessary national implementing legislation has been adopted. The Public NL Wallet is being designed as an accessible and trustworthy digital solution for all. Ease of use, accessibility, privacy and security are at the heart of its development.
Dutch EUDI ecosystem
The Netherlands is establishing a national EUDI ecosystem to implement the European Digital Identity Framework. In due course, private wallet providers will also be able to participate in this ecosystem. As with the Public NL Wallet, these wallets will need to meet the strict requirements of the revised eIDAS Regulation and its implementing acts on security, reliability and privacy. National implementing legislation is being prepared to enable the Dutch EUDI ecosystem, including the Public NL Wallet, to operate in the Netherlands. The draft legislation is expected to be published for public consultation towards the end of 2026, after which it will proceed through the legislative process.
More information
For more details on the EUDI wallet’s development and the updated eIDAS regulation, visit edi.pleio.nl (in Dutch). If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact edi@minbzk.nl.
More information on LSPs can be found at blsp.pleio.nl.
