FAQ
EUDI-Wallet(s)
1. What is/are the EUDI Wallet(s)?
The European Digital Identity Wallet(s) (EUDI Wallet(s)) provide(s) citizens and organisations with a secure and trustworthy digital identification that can be used for public and private services across Europe. Identity data and a variety of other digital documents can be securely stored, conveniently managed, utilised for identification or authentication and exchanged electronically via EUDI Wallet(s).
2. In which areas of application can the EUDI Wallet(s) be used?
The EUDI Wallet(s) can simplify various activities for citizens and organisations. These include, among others:
- Access to digital public/eGovernment services (e.g., applying for documents related to travel and submitting tax documents),
- electronic signing of documents,
- use of private sector services, such as opening a bank account, online payments, and SIM card registration, and
- digital proof of official documents such as driver’s licences or certificates. Further information on the possible uses of EUDI Wallet(s) can be found on the website of the European Commission.
3. Who will provide the EUDI Wallet(s)?
With the adoption of the eIDAS 2.0 Regulation, the European Commission obligates EU Member States to develop and certify one (or more) EUDI Wallet(s). Currently, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community in cooperation with partners from academia, the private sector and civil society, is discussing and examining different options for the issuance of wallet(s), including:
- A government solution, where the state is the sole issuer,
- various private sector wallets that are certified by the state, or
- a joint wallet solution for which the state and companies (possibly also cooperatives, foundations and organisations) each provide various components of the wallet(s).
Architecture & Consultation Process
4. What is the architecture & consultation process?
The architecture & consultation process was launched to conceptualise and design an eIDAS 2.0-compliant infrastructure for digital identities, including one (or more) EUDI Wallet(s) in Germany. The process occurs alongside partners from various fields (private sector, civil society, academia, etc.) and is marked by the following criteria and goals:
- Active involvement of the public and civil society, taking minorities into account, to ensure a high level of user acceptance,
- clarification and definition of possible business and issuance models for the EUDI Wallet(s),
- development of sustainable financing models for wallet operators,
- elaboration of general requirements for the EUDI Wallet(s), for example with regard to determining possible use cases and data protection issues.
5. What results have emerged from the architecture & consultation process so far?
The results of the process to date consist primarily of the first architecture proposal published in November 2023, submissions from participants and results from the two workshops held to date.
A total of 60 position papers were submitted, reviewed and analysed. The submissions can be viewed on OpenCoDE.
The first architecture proposal published in November 2023 examines three different options for handling personal identity data under the premises of security, data protection and positive user experience and compares their advantages and disadvantages. Users should be able to securely prove their identity to service providers. The proposal was published here on OpenCoDE.
The first workshop dealt with use cases and requirements of the EUDI Wallet(s), for example the interaction of personal ID (PID) and organisational ID (OID). The workshop results were documented on OpenCoDE.
The second workshop discussed business and issuance models and thus, examined the question of whether the state should become the sole issuer of EUDI Wallet(s), whether it should certify privately issued wallets or whether wallets should be issued in a public-private partnership. The corresponding workshop results are also available on OpenCoDE.
Further consultation formats will take place in 2024.
Civil society participation
6. What role do civil society actors play in the design of the EUDI Wallet(s)?
To ensure that EUDI Wallet(s) are widely accepted and that the needs of society, including minorities, are fully considered, the input and perspectives of experts and representatives from civil society is particularly important. In this way, it can be ensured that, for instance, barriers to utilisation and participation are removed and that the specific needs and requirements of diverse groups can be identified. The active involvement of civil society stakeholders is therefore essential for user-friendly, inclusive and accessible Wallet(s).
7. Which topics can be co-designed?
All information and content currently being discussed in the ongoing process is available on OpenCoDE and available for comments. One of the central goals of the architecture & consultation process is to ensure a broad user acceptance and a positive user experience. For this reason, the real needs of society will be analysed in greater depth as the process continues.
Questions and topics for active co-design include, among others:
- In which other areas of everyday life should the EUDI Wallet(s) be used?
- How can the EUDI Wallet(s) be made accessible for as many users as possible?
- What general requirements for the EUDI Wallet(s) ensure a positive user experience?
8. Which civil society actors are part of the process?
In addition to some civil society actors from the fields of science and research, digitalisation, data protection and digital democratic participation, private sector and state actors have so far been the most active participants in the process. Examples include companies that work in the fields of financial transactions, digital identification, and telecommunications. We believe that the participation of civil society groups is essential for the success of the project. This will ensure acceptance by the general public as well as the accessibility of EUDI Wallet(s). We therefore actively invite all civil society groups from various sectors to participate.
9. Who can participate?
In principle, all stakeholders with an interest in EUDI Wallet(s) and a commitment to ensuring that the EUDI Wallet(s) will be as accessible as possible and widely accepted in society are invited to participate.
10. How can I currently participate?
Further consultation formats will take place in 2024, including on the topic of data protection and data minimisation, as well as on the architecture of the wallet(s). In principle, any company, any (natural or legal) person, association, organisation or interest group can take part in these formats. The exact formalities for participating, such as the information and requirements for applying and the date and venue of the event, will be provided via Open CoDE. Participation in the overall process is also possible at any time via the "Issue" function on the Open CoDE website.
Private sector participation
11. Which companies are already part of the process?
Companies from various sectors such as financial transactions, digital identification and telecommunications are already part of the architecture & consultation process. Examples can be found in the submitted position papers and the conversation on the OpenCoDE website.
12. How can my company currently participate?
Further consultation formats will take place in 2024, including on the topic of data protection and data minimisation, as well as on the architecture of the wallet(s). In principle, any company can take part in these formats. The exact formalities for participation such as information on how to apply and the date and location of the event, will be made available on OpenCoDE. Participation in the process is also possible at any time via the "Issue" function on the OpenCoDE website.
13. Are organisational identities planned?
The possibility of using organisational identities in the EUDI Wallet(s) is being examined. The ongoing process is also examining the possible interaction between personal identities (PID) and organisational identities (OID).
14. Will private companies be able to issue EUDI Wallets?
In principle, three models are conceivable for developing and operating EUDI Wallets:
- a government solution, where the state is the sole issuer,
- various private sector wallets that are certified by the state, or
- a joint wallet solution for which the state and companies provide various components.
These options and potential business and operating models were discussed in detail at the recently held second workshop of the architecture & consultation process. A final decision has not yet been made. At this stage, operation by private companies is therefore still conceivable. The detailed results of the workshop can be found on the OpenCoDE website.
15. What use cases of the EUDI Wallet(s) could arise for my company?
Six possible use cases for EUDI Wallets are expected to be tested as part of the POTENTIAL LSP Consortium: eGov Services, Bank Account Opening, SIM Card Registration, Mobile Driving License, Qualified eSignature and ePrescription. Many more use cases are also conceivable, and the architecture & consultation process is also suitable for developing further use cases.