Table of contents
Verifiable Credentials (VCs) and the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) are often discussed in abstract terms: standards, regulations, architectures. But across Europe, these technologies are already moving beyond theory.
Governments, universities, and private organizations are actively deploying wallet-based identity and credentials to solve very practical problems: onboarding users faster, reducing fraud, enabling cross-border services, and simplifying compliance-heavy processes.
Under eIDAS 2.0, every EU Member State will be required to offer at least one European Digital Identity Wallet. While full-scale deployment is still underway, large-scale pilots and early implementations already show how eWallets, Verifiable Credentials, and KYC processes are reshaping digital transactions across Europe.
From regulation to reality: where Verifiable Credentials are already used
At their core, Verifiable Credentials are cryptographically secure attestations issued by trusted entities and held directly by users in an eWallet. Instead of repeatedly sharing documents, users present reusable credentials that can be instantly verified. This model is proving particularly effective in environments where trust, identity, and compliance are critical.
Public sector and cross-border services
Several EU countries are already piloting wallet-based access to public services. In Germany and the Netherlands, digital identity wallets are being tested for citizen authentication when accessing government portals, applying for permits, or proving residency.
Rather than uploading scans of documents, citizens present verified attributes, such as age, address, or legal status; directly from their eWallet.
This approach reduces administrative overhead while strengthening data protection. Selective disclosure allows citizens to share only what is strictly necessary, aligning with GDPR principles and reducing exposure to identity fraud.
Education and professional credentials
Education is one of the most mature real-world applications of Verifiable Credentials in Europe. Universities and training institutions issue digital diplomas and certificates directly to students’ wallets, enabling instant verification by employers or public authorities.
A concrete example highlighted in our Whitepaper is the Camins project in Catalonia, where academic credentials are issued as Verifiable Credentials and stored in students’ digital wallets. This eliminates manual verification, reduces credential fraud, and enables cross-border recognition of qualifications: an essential requirement in a mobile European workforce.
Financial services and KYC
In financial services, Verifiable Credentials and eWallets directly address one of the most costly and repetitive processes: Know Your Customer (KYC).
Banks in countries such as France, Spain, and Belgium are exploring wallet-based identity verification to replace repeated document collection during onboarding. Instead of uploading passports and proof of address each time, customers reuse verified identity credentials issued by trusted sources.
This has several practical benefits:
- Faster onboarding and lower abandonment rates
- Reduced fraud through cryptographic verification
- Lower operational costs for compliance teams
Importantly, this model also supports continuous KYC, where credentials can be updated or revoked without restarting the entire onboarding process.
Healthcare and regulated access
Healthcare systems in countries like Italy and Austria are testing wallet-based credentials for patient identification and professional authorization. Healthcare professionals can prove their qualifications or licensing status using Verifiable Credentials, while patients control access to sensitive health data through their eWallet.
This improves security while enabling cross-border healthcare scenarios, where medical information must be trusted across jurisdictions.
Digital transaction management: where wallets meet real workflows
Verifiable Credentials do not operate in isolation. Their value increases significantly when combined with digital transaction management, including electronic signatures, document workflows, and trusted archiving.
This is where practical implementations matter.
Signaturit Group: enabling real-world adoption
Signaturit Group provides concrete examples of how Verifiable Credentials and eWallets move from pilots to operational use cases.
As outlined in our Whitepaper, Signaturit Group has developed wallet-based solutions designed to support eIDAS 2.0 and EBSI standards, enabling organizations to issue, manage, and verify credentials across borders.
Our Solution: The VIDwallet
Signaturit’s VIDwallet allows individuals to store and manage Verifiable Credentials securely, with full control over what data is shared and with whom. The wallet supports selective disclosure and interoperability, ensuring credentials issued in one Member State can be verified anywhere in the EU.
This makes VIDwallet suitable for real-world use cases such as:
- Identity verification for regulated services
- Storage of academic and professional credentials
- Secure access to digital services
Credentials Studio: managing the full VC lifecycle
Beyond the wallet itself, Signaturit’s Credentials Studio supports the full lifecycle of Verifiable Credentials, from issuance and verification to revocation. This is critical for organizations operating in regulated environments, where credentials must remain accurate and up to date.
For example:
- Universities can revoke or update academic credentials
- Employers can issue professional certifications
- Organizations can verify credentials during onboarding or signing processes
By integrating these capabilities with electronic signatures and trusted archiving, Signaturit Group enables end-to-end digital transactions that are both efficient and legally robust.
Why this matters now
The shift toward wallet-based identity and Verifiable Credentials is not a distant vision. Large-scale pilots already involve hundreds of public and private organizations across Europe, and eIDAS 2.0 sets a clear timeline for adoption.
For organizations today, the practical takeaway is clear:
- eWallets reduce friction in digital transactions
- Verifiable Credentials strengthen KYC and fraud prevention
- Interoperability enables cross-border growth
Those who begin integrating these technologies now, starting with concrete use cases like onboarding, credential verification, or contract signing; will be better positioned as wallet adoption accelerates.
From concept to competitive advantage
Verifiable Credentials and the EUDI Wallet are no longer just regulatory constructs. They are becoming practical tools for building trust, simplifying compliance, and improving user experience across Europe’s digital economy.
Real-world implementations (such as academic credential issuance, wallet-based KYC, and secure access to public services) demonstrate that the technology is ready.
With enablers like Signaturit Group, organizations can move beyond experimentation and start embedding Verifiable Credentials into everyday digital transactions: securely, compliantly, and at scale.
