The European Union presents its European digital portfolio. A secure digital space for all citizens, in which we find identity papers, diplomas, prescriptions, contracts… Your whole life in a single space.
The future European digital life
L’EU Digital Identity Wallet or European digital wallet in French is a secure digital solution allowing European citizens and businesses to identify themselves and share their personal information online. It offers simplified and secure access to public and private services, such as the creation of bank accounts, access to diplomas, the management of medical prescriptions and even identity sharing.
Users have full control over their data with selective sharing options, reducing the risks of profiling and enhancing their privacy. This initiative aims to drive the adoption of digital services across the European Union. In France, the France Identity application would thus become more complete and above all recognized across all the countries of the European Union.
What is the EU digital identity wallet used for?
- Mobile driving license: request a digital version of your driving license. Then always have it ready to share in your wallet.
- Access government services: Access digital public services (domestic and cross-border) using your wallet to securely identify and authenticate yourself.
- Payments: facilitate your online transactions. Use your wallet to identify yourself and authorize payments.
- Opening a bank account: verify your identity when opening a new bank account with just your wallet.
- Education Certification: never lose the degree you worked so hard for again. Easily store and share all your educational references.
- Health : keep your health within reach. Easily collect prescribed medications from a pharmacy, even in another country.
- Access to Social Security benefits: when you work abroad, prove that you are covered by Social Security in your country of origin. Store and share your European health insurance card.
- Registration by SIM card: Registering a new prepaid SIM card is getting easier and easier. Your wallet allows you to identify yourself quickly.
- Journey : prove who you are when you book a hotel online, then simply identify yourself during check-in.
- Signing of contracts: sign contracts only with your wallet.
- Organizational digital identities: use your wallet to prove that you are a legitimate representative of an organization.
Two huge obstacles
Although the European digital wallet looks promising on paper, two major problems remain. First of all, the distrust of European citizens towards the digitalization of their private lives by governments. Indeed, the majority of citizens still prefer the physical format. This transition could take at least 10 to 20 years minimum to become fully established.
Second, the slowness of European bodies to evolve quickly. Although the EU digital portfolio aims to simplify and speed up procedures for citizens and businesses, it is necessary that this initiative also encompasses the European legal bureaucracy, often perceived as one of the most complex and inflexible.
When we see the waiting time at national level just to have your identity card, your driving license and your Vitale card in a single application, there is no doubt that patience will be required before this European digital wallet really takes off. form in our daily lives.
Test phase
Currently, 4 large-scale pilot projects test the EU digital identity wallet before its deployment in Member States. 350 private companies and public authorities are participating in this full-scale test.
