Overview
- Germany plans to launch its state digital-identity wallet on January 2nd, 2027, matching EU rules that make public bodies accept the wallets from January 1st, 2027.
- The updated eIDAS law requires every EU country to offer at least one wallet within 24 months of technical rules finalized in November 2024 and May 2025.
- The app bundles high-assurance ID, qualified electronic signatures, and verified proofs like a driver’s license or diploma, and it works online and offline for checks and logins.
- The EU expects several interoperable wallets from governments and private firms, and Germany is building its own app with features rolled out in stages as development proceeds in public on GitHub.
- A Bitkom survey found 52% in Germany have never heard of the wallet, while the government says use will be free and optional and paper documents will stay valid.