European Digital Identity Discussions Highlighted at eIDAS Summit
The European Digital Identity (eIDAS) 2.0, a groundbreaking update to the original eIDAS Regulation, is currently in an active implementation phase across the EU. By 2026, member states are required to have fully functional, compliant digital identity solutions in place [1][3].
The first key implementing act took effect in May 2025, setting technical, security, and interoperability standards for the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet and related services [1][3]. This mobile-based wallet will allow EU citizens and businesses to securely store and share verified identity data [6].
However, the journey towards a unified digital identity across the EU is not without its challenges. For businesses, especially those in regulated sectors, key hurdles include:
1. **Technical readiness of devices:** Current smartphones largely lack secure elements certified to meet eIDAS high security levels. The need for alternative solutions such as remote secure elements is urgent to comply with security requirements [1].
2. **Ongoing compliance and certification burdens:** Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) face complexity due to annual recertification requirements and continuous compliance monitoring, which demands substantial operational resources [1]. Automated platforms that help maintain audit readiness are becoming increasingly important tools.
3. **Integration complexity:** Private-sector entities must accept and integrate eIDAS digital IDs compliantly. This includes technical integration aligned with defined standards and handling responsibilities and liabilities that come with acceptance of digital identities, particularly in electronic transactions or forms [3].
4. **Interoperability across borders:** eIDAS 2.0 aims for EU-wide interoperability of digital identities to streamline cross-border business, but system integration is complex across different national infrastructures and existing digital government portals [2][3].
5. **Regulatory alignment with AML and PSD2:** In regulated sectors such as financial services, eIDAS 2.0 facilitates enhanced digital KYC compliant with anti-money laundering directives and PSD2 strong customer authentication. Adapting existing workflows and compliance systems represents a significant change management challenge [5].
The eIDAS Summit, held in Berlin on June 25, 2025, gathered institutions, national authorities, and digital identity stakeholders from the EU and beyond to discuss key topics, including trust services, the EUDI Wallet, updates on technical frameworks, and use cases [4]. The summit was hosted by Bitkom, the German IT industry association [7].
To address these challenges, solutions are emerging. For instance, Sumsub's QES Verification is a compliant method for user verification under the national AML/CTF requirements in all 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway [8]. Sumsub is an EU-compliant QES Provider, offering binding cross-border digital signatures that meet stringent eIDAS assurance levels [9].
As the full implementation of eIDAS 2.0 approaches, public authorities and businesses must proactively address these issues to meet the 2026 deadline and fully realize the benefits of the European Digital Identity Wallet and associated digital trust services [1][3][5]. The path towards a seamless, cross-border digital Europe is underway, and the challenges are being met head-on.
- To ensure compliance for businesses in the regulated sectors and facilitate secure identity sharing in the digital European landscape, technology companies are developing solutions like Sumsub's QES Verification, an EU-compliant method for user verification under AML/CTF requirements.
- As education and self-development are crucial in the implementation of eIDAS 2.0, understanding data-and-cloud-computing technologies, digital business practices, and recommendations from events like the eIDAS Summit becomes essential for professionals, enabling them to adapt effectively and contribute to the creation of a unified digital identity for the EU.
