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Understand eIDAS 2.0, digital wallets and digital credentials
A simple guide to how new European regulation will change the way we prove our identity and share information digitally.
What is eIDAS 2.0?
Think of it as a digital ID card on your phone, but much more flexible. Instead of having to show physical documents or remember many different passwords, you can use one digital wallet for everything.
The regulation entered into force in 2024 and gives all EU citizens the right to a digital wallet by 2026. The regulation is also relevant to the EEA, and the government's digitalization strategy aims to offer all Norwegian residents a digital wallet by 2030.
What is a digital wallet?
A digital wallet is an app on your mobile phone that securely stores and allows you to share digital credentials about yourself.
This is what you can do with the wallet:
- Prove who you are
- Add and remove data
- Log in to digital services
- Share data
- Sign documents
- Pay for services and goods
Instead of carrying physical documents such as a driver's license, health card, or student ID, you have everything gathered in one place on your mobile phone in the form of digital credentials!
What are digital credentials?
The digital wallets will contain your digital credentials (also called verifiable credentials), which are electronic documents that confirm information about you:
- Your digital identity
- Other digital credentials, such as diplomas, prescriptions, driver's licenses, health insurance cards, financing certificates, work permits and most other documents that we currently share on paper or as PDFs
These will carry the same legal weight as paper-based identity documents. All of these credentials follow a standard defined by the EU (eIDAS 2.0), which makes them displayable and verifiable without risk of forgery. They are cryptographically signed, and no one can alter or forge the content without it being detected.
How does it work in practice?
Three simple steps from documentation to verification:
An issuer gives you a credential
A trusted organization (such as UDI, NAV or a school) issues a digital credential that you download to your wallet.
Store the credential in the wallet
The credential is securely stored in your digital wallet on your phone. Only you have access, and you decide when and with whom to share the information.
Share when you need to
When a service needs documentation, you simply choose which credentials to share. The service can cryptographically verify that the credential is genuine.
Practical use cases:
Confirm age anonymously
Prove that you are over 18 or 20 years old without having to show an ID card or share your date of birth.
Rent a car
Verify your ID, share your driver’s license and insurance, and sign the rental contract – no matter where you are.
What are the benefits?
eIDAS 2.0 solves several challenges we face in today's digital world
Everything in one place
One digital wallet replaces many physical documents and logins. Here you can have both personal ID, concert tickets and financing certificates in one place!
Can be used across Europe
The national wallets will be recognized across borders, so everyone can use their ID wallet to identify themselves and share digital credentials in all EU and EEA countries.
Supported by both public and private services
Use the wallet with public and private services in areas such as health, banking, insurance and education. You can also use it to log in to services from major private operators like Facebook, Google, Snapchat and TikTok!
Continuous and automatic follow-up
For example, you can be notified when a certification expires or when a license has been revoked.
Increased security
All of these credentials follow the eIDAS 2.0 standard, which makes them displayable and verifiable without risk of forgery. They are cryptographically signed, and no one can alter or forge the content without it being detected.
Privacy and security
The digital wallet has built-in privacy!
The user has full control
As a user, you decide which credentials to share, and with whom. You can withdraw sharing at any time.
Better privacy
Services only get access to exactly the information they need. This is called "zero knowledge proof", and you can read more about it on Kantega's blog.
Cryptographic security
All credentials are cryptographically signed and cannot be forged. Your data is stored securely on your own device.
GDPR-compliant
eIDAS 2.0 is designed to comply with the EU's strict privacy regulations (GDPR) and gives you the right to access, deletion and portability.
