Overview
- The EU’s updated eIDAS 2.0 rule requires every member state to issue or certify an EU‑recognized digital ID wallet by December 31, 2026, with wallets accepted across borders.
- Germany is cited by industry group Bitkom as planning a national start on January 2, 2027, which reporting presents as the target date for its wallet rollout.
- Austria will keep its existing ID Austria and upgrade it to serve as the base for the EU wallet, rather than replace it outright.
- The wallet is designed to store IDs, driving licences, and diplomas and, according to reporting, could let people travel within the EU without a physical ID by the end of 2026.
- Consumer advocates warn a central management server could be a key attack point, while Germany’s Interior Ministry says users will share only what is needed using selective disclosure, zero‑knowledge proofs that confirm facts without revealing data, no tracking or profiling, and a data‑protection dashboard.