ETSI publishes first standards for European digital identity wallets
More than 24 technical specifications will help digital identity wallets work securely across EU countries and services, allowing people to prove their identity, share official information, and sign documents from a mobile device.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute has published the first set of standards supporting the European Digital Identity Wallet.
The wallet will allow EU citizens and residents to store and use verified digital information on a phone or other device. This could include identity details, proof of age, diplomas, driving licences, and professional authorisations.
Users will be able to share only the information needed for a particular service. For example, someone could confirm that they are old enough to access a service without disclosing their full date of birth.
The wallet is expected to work with government services, banks, healthcare providers, universities, travel companies, and other public and private organisations. It will also support legally valid electronic signatures.
Each EU Member State will be required to provide at least one wallet. Common standards are needed so that a wallet issued in one country can be recognised and used in another.
The first package contains more than 24 technical specifications. They cover areas such as identity checks, certificates, lists of trusted providers, remote electronic signatures, and the long-term preservation of digital records.
The standards are intended to protect personal information through encryption and data minimisation. Data minimisation means that services should collect only the information necessary for a specific purpose.
The European Digital Identity Wallet is already being tested in large-scale pilot projects covering government services, banking, vehicle registration, business processes, and travel.
ETSI will continue the work during 2026 and 2027 by converting the specifications into full European standards, incorporating feedback from pilot projects, and developing tests to confirm that different wallets and services work together.
ETSI and the European Committee for Standardization will hold a joint workshop on the EU Digital Identity Framework from 29 September to 1 October 2026.
