Digital economy

European Digital Identity: Easy online access to key services

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2023

Improved rules for the European Digital Identity - a personal digital wallet for EU citizens - will make it easier for people to access public services and make online transactions, Society.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more public and private services have become digital. This requires secure and reliable digital identification systems. During the plenary session in mid-March, the European Parliament will adopt its position on the proposed update of the European Digital Identity framework.

Find out more about the digital transformation, one of the EU's priorities.

What is the European Digital Identity?

The European Digital Identity (eID) enables the mutual recognition of national electronic identification schemes across borders. It allows EU citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online without having to resort to commercial providers. It also allows people to access online services from other EU countries using their national electronic identity card.

What are the benefits of the European Digital Identity?

The European Digital Identity can be used for:

Public services such as requesting birth certificates, medical certificates, reporting a change of address
Opening a bank account
Filing tax returns
Applying for a university in your own country or in another EU country
Storing a medical prescription that can be used anywhere in Europe
Proving your age
Renting a car using a digital driving license
Checking into a hotel

Improved rules

The 2014 Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) Regulation required EU countries to establish national schemes for electronic identification that meet certain technical and security standards. These national schemes are then connected allowing people to use their national electronic identity card to access online services in other EU countries.

In 2021, the European Commission put forward a proposal building on the eIDAS framework, aiming to enable at least 80% of people to use a digital identity to access key public services across EU borders by 2030.

The report on the proposed update, which was adopted by the industry, research and energy committee, emphasises the importance of ensuring that national systems work with each other, are simple to use and that people have control over their personal data.

Check out more EU measures to boost the digital economy