The German government has announced plans to develop its own European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, allowing citizens to store identity data and official documents on their smartphones, including the use of a Qualified Electronic Signature. The introduction of the EUDI Wallet will take a phased approach, initially focusing on identity verification before expanding to support additional functionalities like boarding passes and payment cards.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the goal of enabling citizens to verify their identity quickly and securely without requiring additional hardware. The wallet will be free of charge and developed to the highest security standards to ensure user data protection.
Importantly, Germany’s announcement also allows for non-governmental providers, including private companies and research institutions, to develop their own EUDI Wallets. These solutions could gain official recognition, fostering a competitive environment that encourages innovation.
The German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) has been running a Proof of Concept challenge over the past months, supporting private-sector efforts to develop compliant EUDI Wallets.
The EUDI Wallet aims to comply with Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, known as eIDAS 2.0, which mandates member countries to create a digital wallet recognized across the European Union. The development process will involve collaboration between SPRIND, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI), and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), within a transparent, participatory framework. An open online consultation is scheduled for October 9 to engage the public in the development process.
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September 30, 2024 – by the Mobile ID World Editorial Team
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